These programs are both on the verge of crisis and are desperately in need of reform. Most politicians have been missing in action on the need for more retirement and health options for the two programs. The major area of conservative concern is the drift away from Reagan education policy. It is not just the attempt to strip the language calling for the abolishment of the Federal Department of Education but the fact that most of the speakers put 'accountability' as the first goal of education policy. The first goal should be to assure that parents and local communities control education policy, not Washington or even state bureaucrats creating their own tests.
Accountability is fine if it is accountability to parents.
The time has come to break up the government monopoly on education, continued Devine. As long as there is a federal or state bureaucracy that denies choice in education, backed by the powerful NEA lobby, there will never be real reform for America s children. As far as the abortion issue is concerned, the pro-life provisions have led the party to victory during the Reagan years and will do so again in 2000. The Bush campaign, the Republican National Committee and the conservative movement are all on the same side.