Education a smart investment

In his May 22 letter, Thomas Hanley stated that taxpayers don’t owe college students anything in the form of college aid. He wrote, “The real question to be addressed is, should federal funds, taxpayers’ money, be used to support citizens’ educational pursuits?”

I assume that Hanley never attended a public school, that if he has children, that none of his children attend or attended a public school, and that his parents and grandparents never attended a public school. How lucky for him that he and his family have been able to attend private schools, thereby sparing us taxpayers the burden of funding his education.

Hanley resides in Post Falls. Approximately 10 percent of the money for Idaho public schools comes from the federal government. But, I assume, he will be relieved to know that in 2008-2009 only Utah spent less than Idaho on its public schools.

Thomas Jefferson stated, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” Though I have no children, I willingly pay my taxes to support public schools, and support continued federal aid for college students. Education is vital for the common good.

Kathryn Lee

Spokane