Poll: Don’t spend tax money for preschool

A majority of respondents in an online Argus-Courier poll thought the government should not provide universal preschool saying that it is an unnecessary use of tax money when private preschool is available.

About 37 percent favored universal preschool while 63 percent were against it.

Here are some of the comments:

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“You will be taking away from existing businesses. And then, unemployment for those who wish to be caretakers while circumstances keep them at home.”

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“What’s next, free houses, free food for everyone, free gas? It never ends. When are people going to take responsibility for themselves? The government is not a bottomless pit of freebies, yet the entitlement mentality has been ingrained in our population through our education system. When are people and the government going to live within its means, sans the $13 trillion debt?”

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“We paid for our children’s preschool. I don’t feel obligated to pay for other people’s children.”

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“No way. Another welfare program for the irresponsible. They can’t work, yet they can drive an SUV, have a cell phone and pop out babies for the rest of us to take care. What a joke.”

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“No, but low income families should receive subsidies when attending a private preschool.”

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“It is not the government’s job to educate the children of the populous. They need to protect the borders.”

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“It’s proven that preschool is beneficial for little ones, but let’s fix the public school programs we have before we add more programs.”

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“It’s not ‘free,’ we have to pay for it with taxes. More than 50 percent of my income is already taxed away from me. I am having a hard time making it working 60 hours a week. Likely a good program, but I can’t afford to pay for it.”

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“In the old days I would have said no. But in today’s society, most young mothers need to get jobs and a safe, educational place for their children to be while mom is working is very important.”

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“Absolutely. The first line of taking care of and nurturing our children is education. Preschool has been proven over and over again to improve learning and success as children grow up. It’s far cheaper than the alternative.”

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“Use your daycare money for private preschool. Simple.”