In one Idaho charter school, the focus is on teaching students to become free-market patriots. More could be on the way. Before that happens, Idaho's Public Charter School Commission ought to be asking if this is a proper use of your state tax dollars. As the Associated Press's Jessie L. Bonner reports, in 2008, that state commission approved the North Valley Academy in Gooding, which promotes itself as a "patriotic" alternative for parents who want their children exposed to a heavy helping of individual freedoms and free-market capitalism. The uniforms are red, white and blue. The cheer is: "God bless the USA." ...The eastern Idaho multimillionaire who put $1 million into a pro-Mitt Romney political action committee and serves as a Romney presidential campaign finance co-chairman wants to transplant the concept to his eastern Idaho back yard. Frank VanderSloot has offered to donate use of a property and refurbish a building to house a similar charter in the Idaho Falls area. All of which has the American Civil Liberties Union asking the charter school commission to do its job/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

• Also: Original Jessie L. Bonner AP article here

Question: Should a tax-supported charter school focus curriculum on free-market patriotism?