Contra Homeschoolers

Posted on March 9th, 2009

Politics? Mention the word in the polite and hyper-pious company of homeschoolers and you’re likely to elicit two kinds of responses – Cynicism, anger, disdain, and condescension on the one hand and apathy, ignorance, and indifference on the other.

On both hands the retreated, isolated, and insulated homeschool community is too withdrawn from politics to have any relevance in its midst. And yet, somehow we expect to be an effective voice with a one-time avalanche of emails while we continue to ignore the general political system that affects so many OTHER aspects of our lives. Effective political involvement is not a one time event that you can pop-up to get what you want (especially if what you want is to be left alone) and then retreat to the safety of your special insular, albeit irrelevantly small, community that shares every dot and tittle of theological oddity you hold dear.

The winds of political action do not ebb, they blow and change the political landscape without regard to our participation or not. Every time we emerge from our hidey holes to stop some critical offense, we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, unprepared to deal effectively with the matter at hand, and unaware of the fact that when we again return to our burrows the thing we may have successfully stopped will be implemented incrementally without our offering so much as a whimper.

Think I am being too hard on homeschoolers? Consider this:

Of the 35 emails that I have received so far to oppose HB2144; only 24 can be found on the registered voter roles, only 20 of those have more than one registered voter at that address, only 17 bothered to vote in the last presidential election, and only 5 (YES ONLY 5!) have voted in all of the last four general elections. If this doesn’t demonstrate apathy, I don’t know what would qualify. If I looked this information up, you can bet that other legislators have too. This is what they know: Homeschoolers will make a lot of noise, but they will go away and not impact their future elections much.

I have gotten several calls (7 calls I think) from homeschoolers in addition to emails. I have asked each one of them a couple of questions. “Do you know of any legislators who homeschool their children or have grandchildren who are homeschooled?” Not a single one knew of any, including one who was my own constituent. “Do you know who your representative is, and would he or she know you?” So far, homeschoolers are batting a big fat ZERO.

I am not posting this to just bash homeschoolers, my intention is to encourage us to do better. The first step to encourage positive engagement in the political arena is to raise the level of awareness of the need for such engagement. Hopefully, at this point, what my homeschooling readers are pondering is this: ‘How can I make positive contributions and engage in the political arena?’

First, homeschoolers who enter into the political process should have their eyes wide open and be prepared for the long term. They should constantly examine their motives for contributing to the political process directly. They should be serving a wider agenda, not only that of a narrow political interest or that of the party to which they belong. There are problems to be solved, and government never results in the utopian ideal we think it should be, especially if we are not participating.

Homeschoolers are like many other conservatives. Conservatives assume, or should assume, that some “problems” have no solution, and so tend to be less interested in worrying about things that they don’t think can be fixed anyway. Because liberals tend to believe that things can be significantly improved, if not necessarily perfected, they are constantly busy alerting everyone to all the things that could be made better. Which is precisely the reason we should worry and be constantly involved.

Second, homeschoolers need to take steps to be effective in the political process. This should start with getting to know your representative and senator and make sure they know you, BEFORE you ask them to support or oppose anything. Trust me when I tell you that one of the most effective ways for a legislator to know your name is to contribute or volunteer for their campaign. If you miss out on this opportunity, then you have missed your best chance to influence that legislator. The founding fathers pledged their “lives, fortunes, and honor.” I, and other legislators, find it hard to take homeschoolers seriously when they won’t even donate the $100 per household filing a joint return that can be credited right back to them on state income tax returns.

Third, homeschoolers should be involved in a group that represents and lobbies for their interest. In this respect, we do pretty well but with a caveat. There is no homeschool political action committee in Arkansas.

Fourth, homeschoolers should be actively recruiting and supporting candidates for office. I am not talking about single interest zealots who have little chance in a general election. I mean people well connected and respected in a community who have track records of service in that community and are sympathetic to the idea of homeschooling or are themselves homeschoolers. These candidates should not be “shooting for the moon”, but rather seeking low level opportunities in the local governments such as city councilmen, justices of the peace, and mayors. Perhaps even the local school board. These people will become top notch candidates for the state legislature and statewide offices soon enough.

In summary:

• Find out who your representative is and get to know him or her. During the year, not just during the session, make contact with all legislators and candidates and ask them their thoughts on homeschooling. Keep a list of legislators you know are “pro” or “anti” homeschooling.
• In addition to sending an email, you should be making sure you and all of your fellow homeschoolers are registered to vote. Make sure you vote regularly. Legislators ARE watching.
• If you really want to get legislator’s attention, start a PAC. If homeschoolers started a PAC and all contributed just that amount that will be credited on their state income taxes the impact would be enormous.
• Be pro-active. Get involved in your local party organization. Run for office yourself or recruit someone. Let them know that they will have you as a volunteer and contributor. Let them know that you will take steps to raise campaign funds from your friends and family.

NOTE: As of midnight, I have received 56 emails in about 4 hours. That is certainly impactful, but how much more impactful would it be if each of those had donated $100 to a homeschool PAC? $5600 for electing pro-homeschool candidates would be off-the-charts effective.

Tags: homeschooling
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13 Responses to “Contra Homeschoolers”

1. S.B. Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 7:44 am

   Dear Mr. Martin,
   I very much appreciated this blog, and I didn’t know you even had one. I am looking forward to more entries from you. I am part of your wives homeschool group and I have enjoyed getting to know her better over these last few months. My children and I are very interested in politics and I am thankful for all the advice you gave us in your blog! I am registered to vote and to my knowledge haven’t missed an opportunity to exercise that right for many years. . .Anything I can do to keep my rights is a priority for me. Again, thank you for writing this!

   Sincerely,
   S.B.
   Prairie Grove, AR

2. R.H. Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

   How does a person start a PAC?
   I didn’t know that was even possible.
   Thanks for the reminder about the 100 contribution – I forgot to add that to my income tax return.

   Keep up the good work, and for making us think.

3. L.L. Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

   Mr. Martin,
   I am a registered voter, having registered for the first time when I was eighteen, more than thirty years ago. I recognize the great value of my right to vote, and exercise it regularly.

   I am a Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and home educator whose call in life is to be all those to the best of my ability.

   I have read what you have to say, and would like to offer some frank comments. I will acknowledge up front that I do not know you or your family, and therefore may misunderstand or misconstrue some of what you have had to say in regard to homeschooling.

   Many of your points are well-taken, especially when you talk about how apathetic people can be, but you do seem to lump all home educators in the same barrel with your descriptions (hyper-pious, retreated, ignorant, isolated . . .). Hardly a fair assessment of folks you have yet had the opportunity to meet. It is our experience, that while the homeschooling families we know may not be ‘politically’ active, they are anything but isolated, and enjoy a wide variety of activities in their communities. I’m not sure what you mean by “hyper-pious”, but again, it is my experience that these families do have a godly standard they strive to meet , and it includes a desire to go out and make a difference in the world. There is a difference in being set apart unto God as a way of living, and living like the church lady from the old Saturday Night Live days; I don’t see the “hyper-pious”, but rather moms and dads trying to raise their children in a way that pleases God while finding ways to serve the community.

   You suggest that home educators want to be left alone. That is not what we see where we live; we have full lives that are that much better because of all the other people we know and enjoy. What we do want is a government that understands our desire to live without regulations for every little aspect of life, and one that will acknowledge that we are, indeed, quite capable of being good citizens without a government agency supervising every step we take. We want a government that does not lump the good citizens in with the “bad”, creating ill-considered laws that are aimed at a few while affecting all.

   I am not furthering a “narrow political agenda” when I address a single issue that affects my family and my community; the issue is at hand, so it gets my attention. My motive in contributing to the political process right now is to see that parents in Arkansas continue to enjoy the right to raise and educate their own children. I am not seeking a utopia (although I do expectantly await an eternal heavenly home), but I would be remiss as parent and citizen if I did not stand up and speak my mind when bad legislation is being considered by my government.

   You say the most effective way to influence legislators is to volunteer or contribute financially to their campaigns, but with all due respect, I am under no obligation to help any person get elected to public office, however honorable his standards and ideology may be; but you are bound by the very nature of your positions as “representatives” to listen not only to the registered voters, but to each citizen who desires to speak up on any matter of concern, even if they only speak once. There are many people currently in elected positions at different levels of government for whom I did not vote, but they still have a sacred obligation to hear my voice and act on my behalf.

   You say it is hard to take seriously those citizens who won’t donate “the $100 per household filing a joint return that can be credited right back to them on state income tax returns”. Does that mean that taxpayers who do not choose that option have no right to representation? Our founding fathers pledged their “lives, fortunes, and honor” to fight that very thing.

   Are some of us cynical? Yes, because our government seems to be getting out of reach and out of control. Angry? Yes, because we are tired of seeing our hard-earned tax dollars spent carelessly. Apathetic? Perhaps, because sometimes it seems like one vote really doesn’t make much difference anymore, but we do continue to vote and heartily encourage others to vote, too. Condescending? I will, in all kindness, suggest that we feel like we are on the receiving end of the condescension.

   Please understand my comments are not directed at you personally, but in response to the comments of an elected representative of my government. I recognize your job is not easy and is often thankless. (We are familiar with “not easy and often thankless” because my husband has been in law enforcement for over twenty years.) I will pray for you and your family as you seek to serve the people of Arkansas. May God bless you with the wisdom and discernment to serve well.

   L.L.
   Bella Vista

4. H.B. Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

   I think L.L. might have misconstrued Rep. Martin’s comments about donations. I don’t think he meant to convey “I won’t listen unless you donate” but rather “you want what you want, but you don’t want to help achieve it”. For better or worse, winning an election takes money, and if we homeschoolers don’t financially support pro-homeschooling candidates and PAC’s they stand little chance of success.

5. Stuff from Around Arkansas, March 10 | The Arkansas Project Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

   [...] Bound: Blogging GOP Rep. Mark Martin has advice for the home schooling crowd on how to make a difference in the political arena. (Off the [...]

6. A.R. Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

   I enjoyed your conversation this afternoon [Editor's note: I spoke to this poster on the phone today]. I believe that you are correct. I also believe that we have a responsibility to take an active part in our elections and review who is running and how they have voted in the past.

   Personally, I do vote regularly, and I do research before I vote on the candidates. I believe we need to exercise our rights before we lose them. Thank you for taking time with us today.

   Thank you so much for this challenge.

7. Bill Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

   We believe this anti-homeschooling bill will improve our society and unify our nation. Please vote “Yes”.

   Your comrades,

   Fidel Castro & Hugo Chavez

8. Renee Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

   Mr. Martin,
   I’ve enjoyed reading several of the posts on your blog. Thank you for your fight for what is right and good, freedom.
   Renee

9. JS Says:
   March 12th, 2009 at 8:38 am

   Rep. Martin,

   Some of your criticisms are well-founded and should be addressed, however, it’s dangerous to lecture the home school community during a fight that must be won. I say this because your words are going to give Rep. Cook’s terrible bill expediency when it should be stopped in its tracks. There is a time for such criticisms — “iron sharpens iron” — but calling home schoolers out publicly like this (when our opponents are looking for weaknessness to exploit) is irresponsible. It’s important to show public unity even if there’s internal friction. This is a conservative, pragmatic approach and I urge you to show more discretion in the future.

10. Mark Martin Says:
    March 12th, 2009 at 11:52 am

    JS,

    I could not disagree more.

    First, the failure to immediately to call out Republican failures over the last eight years caused a rot within that will take decades to overcome. I do not intend to let the same thing happen to the homeschool community.

    Second, I have not even started addressing those things which really needs to happen within the homeschool community, nor will I likely use this public space to do so. However, the rest of society is so conflict adverse that rather than learn to maintain unity through (and inspite of) conflict they instead opt for total conflict avoidance by remaining silent or fracture into hundreds of different subcultures. That is the exact rot that permeated the evangelical church at the turn of the century and ultimately led to many of the problems we have today in modern society.

    Our weaknesses are not unknown and for me to leverage this time (a historically short window of opportunity) of increased activity to motivate and inform home educators on the necessity of becoming effectively and diligently involved in the political process is entirely appropriate.

    I have been wrong in the past, and am very very inclined to re-evaluate the appropriateness of my actions. It is upon much consideration, and reconsideration, that I took this stand. I am sorry that we disagree.

11. Renee Says:
    March 13th, 2009 at 6:32 am

    If you ever address on paper those things which you feel need to happen in the homeschool community, please send your thoughts my way! I’d love to hear more!

    I want you to know you are in my prayers and our family is thanking God for the stand you are taking!

    May God bless!
    Renee Green

12. Matt Parker Says:
    March 13th, 2009 at 9:11 am

    Mr. Martin,
    You say, “On both hands the retreated, isolated, and insulated homeschool community is too withdrawn from politics to have any relevance in its midst.” You then expect us to say, “How can I make positive contributions and engage in the political arena?”
    Respectfully, you are missing the point Mr. Martin. We are not like you. We do not want to be involved in government. We want to be left alone by government, as you have stated. Homeschoolers are not going to suddenly invest their lives in attempting to create ‘Utopia’. We will stay in our hiding holes and fly under the radar. We will be silent. We will not choose involvement in government until our hand is forced, but if it is forced, we will be involved. The spike in attention by homeschoolers is not an indication that we desire a more integral part in government interaction. It is a reflex reaction. If you and your colleagues decide to pass legislation that is poorly designed, we will respond, but our response will not be more legislative involvement. It will be through litigation. In summary, suggest what you will, but I do not foresee droves of homeschooling parents becoming state legislators or active participants in the legislative process. It is not apathy, as you have postulated, it is just a differing world view. Keep your inefficient, bureaucratic, lack-luster education system off our toes, and there will be no “Arkansas Tea Party” of 2009.

13. The Statesman Says:
    March 14th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    One ought never to turn one’s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!
    Winston Churchill

    “Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than live as slaves.”
    –Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965),_The Gathering Storm,_bk.I ch.19 p.348 (Houghton Mifflin, 1948)