Friends, all of this legislation that I am involved in is on hold until November 2009. Timing and money are factors. God bless you.
Your friend and servant of God, Swayne Benson Loftis
2009 is a new year and God is calling us to heal and build our land. We have a new president and numerous challenges that affect all Americans. Education is one of them...
Proverbs 21:13
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
There are precious children all across Missouri crying out for someone to plead their cause and give them equality in education opportunity. If we shut our ears to their cry, we too will cry out in a time of desperation and God will let our cries for help go unanswered. So let's do the right thing and help vulnerable children and gain the grace and favor of Almighty God in the process.
The Equality in Education Opportunity bill will give every parent/guardian the option (parents/guardians are not required to exercise the option) of having 90% of their child's fair share of education funds (minus their share of the public schools' transportation budget) deposited into an Education Escrow Account (EEA) at a local bank and available to purchase education at the private, religious, or public school of that parent's choice. Any funds not spent on schooling that year will be placed into that child's college fund. It is a brilliant common sense approach that puts children and freedom first instead of greed. Teachers will have academic freedom and financial opportunities that many have only dreamed of. Tax payers will get the brilliant light of genius for their money that only a competitive system can deliver.
In 2002 the US Supreme Court cleared the way for this liberating concept. [Endnote 4]
Hello, I am Swayne B. Loftis, age 44. I live in Springfield, Missouri and I am the father of four beautiful school age children. My children and I have encountered brutal discrimination in education funding in Missouri. God, our heavenly Father, has called me to do more than whine and moan. He has called me as well as others, to heal and build. Be leaders, not victims, and roll up our sleeves and do the work necessary to make K-12 education all it can be in Missouri.
Missouri's current approach of educating our precious children is succeeding in a number of ways, but is painfully failing in others. We as tax payers pay more for K-12 education than any other country in the world, yet we rank 16th in results. Again, there are successes, but the current system is painfully failing large groups of sudents accross Missouri.
Common sense must rule the day, and by the Grace of God, it will, especially with your help. Its not about partisan politics, its about getting the best education value possible with the huge amount of money we are currently spending. Microsoft's Bill & Malinda Gates are currently working to fix the public school disaster. Mr. Gates called the high school system itself obsolete. (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2002191433_gates27m.html)
Free enterprise in education and the choices of excellence free enterprise brings, will create sensitivity to religious faith and will strongly aid all children in their God given "pursuit of happiness".
In the coming weeks and months, the 2009 Legislative Action page will contain information on how you, our dear friends and American family, can help the most vulnerable in our society, our children. Help them by giving them good education opportunities now and for years to come, regardless of there gender, skin color, or color of religion.
My book is available on line to be read. Just click on the Book tab above. My book highlights just one of many serious problems in Missouri's public schools that can not be tollerated anymore. Thank you and God bless you, America, and Missouri.
Swayne B. Loftis
To contact us please email: SwayneLoftis@hotmail.com