"But funding for classrooms has been shrinking for years [...]in what some Oklahomans consider a cautionary tale about the real-life consequences of the small-g

"But funding for classrooms has been shrinking for years [...]in what some Oklahomans consider a cautionary tale about the real-life consequences of the small-government approach favored by Republican majorities[...]" Well, I'd argue that reducing budget is the only way some of these programs can ever be taken out of existence. Then it's no surprise that republicans are trying to reduce budget. Small-government means that people pay for their own things if they're not absolutely essential. They've managed before, they can do it again. Of course, this is the horrible adjustment period because people have gotten accustomed to certain things being given/paid for them. How about we slash some ridiculous foreign expenditures, and divert them instead to these poor folks who can't afford an interim solution to their education. That's what we should be talking about.