November 10, 2008 9:17AM 

# The Public-School-Choice Horror! 

By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) 

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Here are a couple of articles discussing first [the hope](http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6101911.html), then [the disappointment](http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news7130.html), of charter schools and other public-school choice.

The problem especially with charters is that they dangle the hope of real change and competition in front of desperate parents but are all too often at the near complete mercy of their public-schooling masters. It’s why public-school choice alone simply will not transform American education from our current moribund, socialist monopoly into a thriving free system. Just because he lets you live doesn’t mean [Col. Kurtz ](http://www.guba.com/watch/3000030213)will set you free.

##### Related Tags 

[Education](https://www.cato.org/education), [Center for Educational Freedom](https://www.cato.org/center-educational-freedom) 

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