Joyce Weston: Is NH compliant with the US Constitution on education?

To The Daily Sun,

Here is the U.S. Constitution, Article 83, written by John Adams on June 2, 1784:

“Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and economy, honesty and punctuality, sincerity, sobriety, and all social affections, and generous sentiments, among the people: Provided, nevertheless, that no money raised by taxation shall ever be granted or applied for the use of the schools or institutions of any religious sect or denomination ... ”

On April 1, Chief Justice John Roberts said, “It’s a new world; it’s the same Constitution.” The Constitution means what it says. When the Framers have gone to the trouble of defining a right, that right cannot be eroded by the passage of time or changing circumstances.

Is New Hampshire in compliance? Right now, your local taxes help pay for students to attend private and religious schools. Readers' decide.

Joyce Weston

Plymouth