Janet Quinn’s letter, which appeared in the Nov. 18 Reporter, highlights the serious issue of union control of education. While government has the authority to determine how public education should be funded, it ill serves the public good by conniving with the education unions to exert total control over the education process.

The Constitution of the United States calls for government action to be for the “General welfare of the People.” Creating a government/union monopoly does not achieve this. Only when education is opened up to the free market, will we have innovations and efficiencies. Of course the government should have a say in what is to be expected from educational institutions, but parents have a right to demand and expect excellence. Unfortunately, the socialist policies of successive governments have brainwashed most citizens into the (wrong-headed) belief that the government knows best.

Listen up, parents; you brought your offspring into the world and their education is your primary duty and responsibility. You should determine how and where your child should be educated and demand that freedom to choose. The government/union monopoly is hamstringing effective education and, as in all monopolies, ensures that the cost of education is far more than it should be.

Michael P. Challenger, Bothell