Some will not be strong enough to read this. Those who do may not be brave enough to act, but we pray that each of you desires what is right in the eyes of God. We speak with love to those we may offend, with forgiveness to those who have done something to hurt others, whether deliberately or out of ignorance.

America ASLEEP kNOw MORE supports school vouchers, tuition tax credits, or perhaps other methods that would give funding for education back to those with the God-given responsibility for their children, the parents.

One critic argues that the use of the voucher system will weaken the public schools (provided for by Founding Fathers) and thereby weaken the fabric of our nation. Our Founding Fathers did indeed understand the need for an educated, informed electorate and provided for public education. They also understood the necessity to instruct our children in Biblical principles.

“Let the children . . . be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education. The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effectual means of extirpating (removing) Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools.” (Dr. Benjamin Rush, signatory of the Declaration of Independence and Father of Public Education under the Constitution)

“Education is useless without the Bible.”

“God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct.”

“In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed . . . . No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.” (Noah Webster, revolutionary soldier, educator, legislator, and judge, and called Schoolmaster of the Nation)

We contend that the aggressive promotion of secular humanism--and the no less aggressive elimination of all things Christian--in the modern government school has already severely damaged the fabric of the nation. In view of the current state of affairs, who would wonder that parents would seek—and deserve—a choice of schools for their children?

Some say Missouri cannot afford to finance private as well as public education. We would respond that for the sake of the children, their families, and even the nation, we could ill afford NOT to take bold steps to change the status quo. God must be at the very center of what we do or we will continue to fail. The burden to our children in the present system outweighs the financial cost we might incur with vouchers. To continue to fund a system that teaches humanistic philosophy, revises history, and perverts science is no less than idiocy: we are driving our children into increasing promiscuity, perverted ideals, and greater depression. Our children suffer, our families suffer, our nation suffers.

With vouchers, the local private sector may have to pick up some things cut back by the school, but more money need not be spent. Parents could be given a majority of the average cost of educating the child (perhaps $3000 out of $5000) and the remainder would go back into the state treasury. If 300,000 students chose a private education, the cost would be $900 million. If these same students were to be educated in public schools at $5000 each (average cost is actually higher), the cost would be $1.5 billion. The state could then return $600 million back to the treasury to be spent on other public needs. To say that vouchers have no proven results merely sidesteps the real issue: good Christian and home schools not only out perform public schools, they usually do it with much less money per student and turn out better citizens.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

The discussion of accountability for public funds is merely to detract from the better end result provided by private schools.

Constitutionality, of course, must be an issue. As we have seen, however, the constitution says one thing to an activist judge and perhaps the opposite to less liberal thinkers. It is critical that we allow parents to use their tax money to send their children to schools that not only do a better job academically but also maintain the beliefs of the home, be it religious or otherwise. If that means changing the Missouri Constitution for the good of the people, so be it. We can no longer permit the tyranny of activist judges who lie, interpret the constitution on their own whims, and dictate what we will do. The elected legislature, not the appointed judiciary, was to be the driving force in the Republic.

Article 1, >6: That no person can be compelled to erect, support or attend any place or system of worship, or to maintain or support any priest, minister, preacher, or teacher of any sect, church, creed or denomination of religion.

No one, especially Jesus, would want to compel anyone to do this. If each taxpayer is justly allowed to choose where his child attends school, he is simply using his just amount of funds for the support of each child. Who’s compelling anyone?

Article 2, >7: That no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect or denomination of religion, or in aid of any priest, preacher, minister or teacher thereof, as such; and that no preference shall be given to nor any discrimination made against any church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship.

Voucher money will not go to the church, sect or denomination. It will not go to the priest, preacher, or minister, but to the education of the parents’ choice with their own share of tax dollars. Our forefathers set this nation under the hand of God and used the Bible as their primary reference to write the Constitution. Using primary source evidence, we know that the United States was set up as a Christian nation. Their thoughts were that no preference should be given to nor any discrimination made against any Christian church or sect. Because of the tolerance provided through the Christian faith, other beliefs have been allowed or tolerated.

Article IX, > 5: The article emphasizes that school money should be used to maintain free public schools, not, for example, roads or bridges. Common sense would tell us that the money would be used for the overall good. Is it wrong to allow parents to spend their share of money to ensure that their children are taught Christian principles when public education offers only the principles of secular humanism, and increasingly so?

Article IX, > 8: Neither the general assembly . . . shall make an appropriation. . . to help support . . . or other institution of learning controlled by any religious creed, church or sectarian denomination whatever.

While the Founding Fathers did not want a national religious sect of Christians, they did expect Christian beliefs to be taught to the children in the public schools. It is supported in all states until lies were told to take the Bible and prayer out of school in 1962 and 1963. Again, common sense tells us that parents are the rightful decision makers concerning their children’s education and should be allowed to use their share of tax money for that purpose. If we want to reverse the moral decay, we must demand that Christian principles once again be at the center of education.

MSTA—Private and religious schools would lose autonomy.

Why would we be foolish enough to intrude on their autonomy when they turn out a better student? The government should stay out of regulation unless there is something that is against the public good.

MSTA—Random admission is unattractive to private and religious schools.

The religious and private schools will take those who will follow their rules. They will openly accept those willing to be taught a biblical worldview. Many special-needs students are accepted; they have to follow the rules like everyone else.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Won’t vouchers for private schools help improve student achievement?

Yes, especially if they are Christian schools. There is proof that students from private religious schools outperform students from public schools. Those students also have a higher level of moral awareness.

True, diverting tax dollars to the private schools won’t fix the student achievement problems at public schools. Those students should be removed from the present public school system and given training in a good Christian school.

Won’t private schools help alleviate overcrowding and provide opportunities for children that would not normally be able to afford to attend?

Yes. I know of many religious schools that have almost 100 percent acceptance of applicants who will abide by their rules. Conditions may include agreement to certain standards of parental involvement and student behavior. We would suggest that the 67% rejection is a result of the tremendous waiting lines at the better schools. With enough demand, more private schools will emerge.

Won’t vouchers make all schools stronger by forcing them to compete for students?

Yes. By allowing parents to choose what’s best for their children instead of what they are forced to do by circumstances, vouchers would create a competitive marketplace. As for even playing fields, ask our businessmen about their even playing fields with foreign companies. Competitors play by different rules all the time in real life. If public schools could include Christian principles, the playing fields could be evened considerably.

What effect will vouchers have on private schools?

Vouchers would not have to destroy the “private” in private schools, but unions will likely try to make it happen. Good men and women in the legislature can do much to make things right. Would it make sense to take the most important part--the Christian part--of their curriculum away from them? Common sense would certainly tell us not to make them like the public schools.

George Washington’s Farewell Address articulated what made us the great nation we once were—until we allowed the courts to take God out of schools.

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness. . . . Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds. . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail, in exclusion of religious principle.”

A VOUCHER PROGRAM ILLUSTRATION

One child: If one child’s soul can be saved by your efforts to change a failed system, won’t it be easier to face God? Perhaps even thousands or millions could be saved over the generations. We have a moment in our lives where we can make a change that affects history and leaves a legacy to future generations. We fight on many fronts. Let’s fight with the same commitment as that of our Founding Fathers for the souls, lives, and liberty of our children. We must get God back into the schools or help parents get the children out.

Jeremiah 8: 8,9 “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have?”

Arcola council met on Sunday night and has made America ASLEEP kNOw MORE one of their outreach missions for this year. What a blessing for all. They still had 21 warriors wanting some action at the meeting on Superbowl Sunday. They are looking at taking action with the legislature on the issues of evolution, and abstinence. They will also be looking to take action on the Hidden Epidemic video we watched that night.

Marshall Council will also have a community presentation in their High School Auditorium to give an awareness to the parents that will save lives now and souls for eternity. Please pray for their actions, and please come if you have an opportunity.

Be pro-active, not re-active

Educate, educate, educate

Know your biblical Christian view

Prayer

School vouchers

Stem Cell Research

STD letter from Senator Stouffer

STD video in hands of Governor

The 10 Commandments case

Truth that will

Up team

Ways you can help