Vouchers offer an opportunity for the government to seize control of private education.
Their arguments are compelling, as far as they go, but all stop short of presenting the full argument, including the price to be paid, the downside if choice includes government vouchers for private schools. Yes, competition is desperately needed to improve public schools by eroding the monolithic control of government and unions. Yes, inner-city youths desperately need educational options. But the full price for these solutions, if private schools are included, is the virtual abolition of private education through government or judicial control. Moreover, it defies history and common sense to argue that the recipient of largesse can forever restrict the terms of the giver.