Why is the Federal Government involved in local education?

The new stimulus bill, (there are so many I have lost count) will make sure the House and Senate will get increase funding, though their membership has not increased. The producers will have to produce more for their keeper, and keep less for themselves. Who is watching the guardians?

"Under the bill, the budget for the House will increase by 10 percent while funding for Senate operations will grow by 8 percent."

I have often wondered why the federal government is involved in teaching children at the local level how to read, write, and calculate. This certainly could be done, as in the past, without federal dollars, or even without state dollars. The most efficient way is with online and private education.

"Obama's huge economic stimulus package provides $41 billion in grants to local school districts. He also plans to send $79 billion in relief to states to prevent cuts in state aid, and another $21 billion for school modernization. The stimulus package also provides more than $35 billion aimed at building schools and training teachers."

One reason the federal government is involved is money. The federal government, which does not have to balance its budget, can print money. The states and school districts have to balance their budgets. The logical approach then is for the 4 million teachers in America to go to the trough of the federal government for money. It is much easier for the union to lobby one congressional committee chair than 50 individual states.

How this got started is from the fear factor. In 1957 the Russians beat America into space with their lunch of the Sputnik satellite. Americans were afraid the Russians were smarter so in 1958 the federal government passed the National 'Defense' Education Act. Education for defense sounds so safe. But, when government gets its tentacles into something it never lets go.

"The State acquires power... and because of its insatiable lust for power it is incapable of giving up any of it. The State never abdicates". – Frank Chodorov

Charles Tolleson