[silmaril]

The reason more private schools are NOT popping up like mushrooms in this state is because the vast majority of FL's continuous population growth is coming from NON-English speaking immigrants moving to Florida. These people are not lining up to get into private schools -- but, they ARE flooding the public schools.

What you have is a result of decades of government control of schools: they "flood" the public schools because there aren't sufficient private schools. There aren't sufficient private schools for two reasons: first, the government undercuts their market with its own schools, and second, tuition is too high for the average family. Why is tuition too high? Because taxes reduce purchasing power. Because government control of the schools has taken away the mass consumer base that might lower tuition. It's a vicious cycle, perpetuated by the very existence of the public school system.

Your assertion that the immigrants go to public schools because they don't know English rings false. Non-English private schools have a long history in the United States, ranging from the German schools of Pennsylvania, to the Swedish and Norweigian schools of the midwest, to the Czech and Spanish schools of Texas. What wiped these schools out? Their seizure by the "progressives" in the early 20th century for public education.

....they are not consumers with the kind of money necessary to pay for private schools.

Again, it's the government's own fault that they're not. Allowing a free market in education would quickly bring prices to a level afforable to the masses; reducing the tax burden would only hasten this process.

And, who paid for the new public schools? Santa Claus?

No, we did. Why?

Local governments can and should plan better for growth, and if the governor's plan encourages such planning, I am all for it.

Ah yes....only government can form and shepherd our communities to their proper destinies. Planning is what is needed -- not the messy, unpredictable actions of independent citizens. You sound a familiar refrain; one proven wrong in socialist communities from New York to Moscow. Government serves the people, not vice-versa -- again, there is no reason to cause citizens to suffer simply because of governmental failures.

Pray tell me why I can't build my house simply because the local school board hasn't got its act together? Why can't I open my business just because there are 35 kids per classroom at the high school? Is this even remotely moral?

Overcrowded classrooms are no fun.

Maureen Dowd would be proud of this one.

[summer]

Maureen Dowd would be proud of this one.

I don't know why. Have YOU ever tried to teach in a portable classroom which is too small to hold 35 kids? And the A/C is broken in the heat of the summer? She hasn't. But, I have. When you do it, let me know how you like it.

[summer]

Your assertion that the immigrants go to public schools because they don't know English rings false.

That wasn't my point -- my point is, they often don't have the income to pay private school tuition. They tend to have menial, low-paying jobs. That's why they are not flooding the private schools, which would take all their income and then some.

[summer]

Non-English private schools have a long history in the United States

Name one private school in Florida -- just one -- that wants to accept non-English speaking kids for a K-12 education. Maybe there is one. Or two. But, I don't know of ANY. And, I sure don't know of any that are accepting students for FREE.

[summer]

Why is tuition too high? Because taxes reduce purchasing power. Because government control of the schools has taken away the mass consumer base that might lower tuition. It's a vicious cycle, perpetuated by the very existence of the public school system.

LOL...tuition at many private schools are sky high because the owners are BUSINESS PEOPLE in BUSINESS to MAKE MONEY. They will charge as much as they can. This has nothing to do with public schools. They are not all monks or nuns motivated by the love of learning.

[summer]

And, who paid for the new public schools? Santa Claus?

No, we did. Why?

And, how did you pay? Via "impact fees"? -- the Homebuilders Association is AGAINST such fees, as they clearly state in the 2nd article I posted above. So, you are not on their side. And, you later mention "planning" as a solution. You seem to agree with Gov. Bush, without wanting to say so.

I think you are failing to "connect the dots" as Gov. Bush put it, as there are elements existing here in FL that are unique in this situation, and would not factor in elsewhere:

(1) the rate of population growth is phenomenal. This is not a normal rate of growth. What is happening in FL is happening at a very high speed in terms of population.

(2) the demand by these new consumers is NOT for private schools -- unless you plan on substantially raising the wages of menial workers, as most of these people wouldn't go to private schools even if you built them, because they can not afford them. The burden is on PUBLIC schools.

(3) FL voters are very anti-tax. People here don't want to pay more taxes for anything, even though taxes are relatively low. Yet, something has to give with this incredible increase in population. Somehow, there has to be a way to coordinate this constant growth with the need for more public schools.

That's what Gov. Bush is talking about -- the big picture. And, he is right to do so.

[summer]

Pray tell me why I can't build my house simply because the local school board hasn't got its act together? Why can't I open my business just because there are 35 kids per classroom at the high school? Is this even remotely moral?

Of course you can build your house and build your business. FL is very friendly to business. But, if you think there is absolutely NO relationship between (a) the increased burden on public schools, and (b) new businesses and new homes, then: IMHO, you are living on another planet.