To the editor:

In a letter criticizing Thisweek's editorial on failed school levy referendums, the writer identifies numerous reasons for a no vote on a referendum. He gives no reasons for a yes vote.

While no one likes to pay taxes, Americans have always paid taxes to provide a free, public education for all children. This was a matter of utmost importance to the founding fathers. We can argue whether it is preferable to pay those taxes based on real estate or income, but pay we must. An educated public is an absolute necessity for the survival of our representative democracy.

I think one message from the last election was that Minnesotans want the state to restore education funding to at least its previous levels. Minnesota has had a reputation for excellence in education and we have watched that reputation slip in the past few years. It is time to restore education funding at the state level as an investment in our future.

There is no liberal or conservative side in educating our young people. A well-educated young person will make choices and contributions to society based on that education. An uneducated person has far fewer choices. Let's give our kids the very best education we can, always expecting to get maximum value from our tax dollars but understanding we can never get the best by simply spending less. With education, only the best is good enough.

Judy Finger
Apple Valley

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