alt.education

Bert Hyman wrote:
>lojbab@lojban.org (Bob LeChevalier) wrote in
>news:58hft3l1e0mthdqt6g13b55rjd9c54395k@4ax.com:
>> Bert Hyman wrote:
>>>lojbab@lojban.org (Bob LeChevalier) wrote in
>>>news:9vkdt35usrubpfu5ipfna0bg6g08vm6bq7@4ax.com:
>>>
>>>> "*Anarcissie*" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>Well, there is the larger question of what business the
>>>>>State has with children, such that children must be
>>>>>forced into some sort of institutional processing plant.
>>>>
>>>> Whatever business "we the people" of the various states, all of
>>>> which have set up educational systems (most of them in their
>>>> respective constitutions), decide.
>>>
>>>A clear and concise statement of the underlying model of the
>>>totalitarian state.
>>
>> A clear and concise statement of the underlying principle of
>> democracy. If you prefer, you can call it the "tyranny of the
>> majority".
>
>It appears that you're really supporting a form of government where
>anything goes so long as the majority wants it.

Subject to the limits of the Bill of Rights, that is what we have.
Its virtue is irrelevant. Democracy is the worst form of government
except for all the rest.

Before the 14th amendment, at the state level there were no real
limits on government so long as it could pretend to be a "republican
form of government". Now there are more protections against abuse by
the majority, and there isn't much evidence that any more protections
are needed.

>I actually prefer "mob rule". In practice though, it always
>degenerates into central control by those who claim to represent the
>will of the majority.

If they claim incorrectly, the majority has the power to make it clear
otherwise.

>> The Bill of Rights eliminates the "totalitarian state"
>> aspect: the minority always has the right to speak up and object,
>> which a totalitarian state doesn't allow.
>
>Being allowed to complain about something while not being able to do
>anything about it is small comfort when your rights are trampled
>simply because the mob wants it done.

If it ain't covered by the Bill of Rights, or in the common law of
past USSC decisions, then there is considerable argument whether they
are your "rights" or merely your "wishes" that are being trampled.

lojbab