Lending a Deaf Ear on Education

In his recent address to Congress, President Obama promised the nation his health insurance overhaul would be based upon choice and competition, but actions speak louder than words. He has turned his back on choice and competition when it comes to education ("Obama urges responsibility in his pep talk," Nation, Wednesday).

When Mr. Obama was in Northern Virginia asking student advisers for advice on enacting his policies, the former mayor of Washington and a former D.C. Council member joined school-voucher maven Virginia Walden Ford in a protest demanding renewal of vouchers for 216 children. While obstructing traffic in front of the Department of Education headquarters, these activists decried the president's deaf ear toward D.C. parents who, not unlike him and the first lady, selected private schools for their children.

Although the president vowed to do everything he could to make sure Americans get the education they need, his lack of support for choice and parental control may explain why he believes it is his responsibility -- not the parents' -- to lecture students on educational habits.

RALPH W. CONNER

Local legislation manager

The Heartland Institute

Chicago