Parents see their children trapped in failing schools which are becoming more responsive to labor organizations and the federal government and less responsive to the local school board and the citizens. Meanwhile some schools gain more funding and achieve ever diminishing results. Concerned parents with means have always been able to remove their children to private schools while still supporting public school taxes. Concerned parents without means are trapped. Vouchers are designed to assist those parents, who selfishly want their kids out of failing schools.
Vouchers are a measured reponse to a drastic situation.
Regarding the amusing fire department analogy, if our local fire department was more concerned with expanding its front office, developing more administrative jobs for the men and women down in the firehouse, wasting money adhering to federal guidance unrelated to firefighting, and doing a lousy job of putting out fires, I would seriously consider supporting a fire department voucher program.