Once again proving that the editors don't read their own paper

To the editors,

In your editorial Thursday about the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program's having reached the "cap" on students it can accept ("Giving families options"), you relentlessly attacked Governor Jim Doyle for his vetoes on the legislature's attempts to "lift the cap" (emphasis mine):

Gov. Jim Doyle must recognize that, in opposing such a move, he is hurting needy children. [. . .]

Republicans have pushed lifting or abolishing the cap. Doyle has thrice vetoed such bills. He must stop opposing the interest of needy kids in Milwaukee and work out a deal with Republicans on voucher caps.

Doyle would doubtless argue that he is looking after the interest of the needy kids in MPS. What he fails to grasp is that he is narrowing their options. Even an option not exercised is of value because it gives the holder more bargaining power.

What Doyle must do is make a quality education for poor children the top goal and recognize that putting more resources into MPS is but one means to that goal, rather than the top goal itself. Another means is the lifting of the enrollment cap on the voucher program. Our preference is to employ any and all means that lead to the top goal.

Doyle, with his more pinched perspective, says he'd back raising the lid if the Republicans would back his plan for smaller classes in the public schools--a plan the GOP regards as too expensive.

Yet it is very clear from the story your very own paper ran the day before ("Stop taking new voucher students, state tells schools"), it is not Doyle at all who needs an attitude adjustment. Rather, it is Assembly Speaker John Gard and the Republicans in the legislature (my emphasis again):

Hitting the cap "changes the debate," [John] Gard said. "It puts enormous pressure on the governor. It's a simple thing. It shouldn't come with a bunch of spending strings or pork for Milwaukee."

Doyle was traveling late Tuesday and could not be reached. Spokeswoman Melanie Fonder said the governor stood by his earlier position that raising the cap must be tied to help for public schools. "He is more than willing to sit down and reach a compromise that will improve the quality of education for all kids in Milwaukee, whether they're in choice schools or public schools," she said.

Which one sounds like he wants to compromise? Which one sounds like he's more concerned about the education of all of Milwaukee's children? Hint: Not single-minded John Gard.

I think you owe Governor Doyle an apology.

Yours, as always,

folkbum