To the Editor:

Democratic state Senator Hanna Gallo has a progressive notion of parenthood that would make Karl Marx proud. As reported by Tim Forsberg, Gallo, like Marx, thinks the government should be responsible for raising our children. (“Lawmakers push for universal Pre-K in RI,” April 17.)

Senator Gallo’s goal is to get young children out of the home and into a state-managed Pre-K program. She wants parents to return to the workplace and leave the child-rearing to somebody else. Gallo discounts, as did Karl Marx, the essential role played by parents in nurturing their children.

As for the cost of this program, which would greatly expand the reach of government, Gallo offered what Forsberg describes as a “pragmatic response.” I call it pie in the sky.

According to Gallo, “We may spend money early, but we’ll save money in the end.” But how does she know that? Where’s the proof? We know from experience that the cost of government programs always balloons beyond what was initially projected.

Senator Gallo goes on to state that “We shouldn’t dictate where parents send their kids.” On that point, I fully agree with her. The schools that children attend shouldn’t be determined by their zip code.

That is why I endorse universal school vouchers, which would give all parents the means to choose the best school for their kids. School choice would empower parents instead of the government.

The question is, if Senator Gallo means what she says, why doesn’t she support universal school vouchers instead of proposing another big government boondoggle like the Prekindergarten Education Act? I’d like to hear her response.

A.H. Liddle

Warwick