STRATEN SUPPORTS McCAIN'S CALL FOR SCHOOL CHOICE

 
Republican presidential candidate John McCain became the first major candidate in history to call for school choice nationally, echoing remarks made just days before by Roland Straten, Republican candidate for congress in New Jersey's  8th District.
 
"I agree with him completely on school choice," said Straten.  "It is very gratifying to have my position, and that of so many who care deeply about children's opportunity to succeed, voiced by my Presidential candidate in his acceptance speech."
 
Straten proposed The Civil Rights Act for Equal Educational Opportunity at a Paterson School #5 press conference on the first day of school. The measure would require states to provide equal funding for children in both public and non-public schools.
 
"Everyone knows, whether they admit it or not, that school choice is absolutely necessary and that teachers' unions and entrenched school bureaucracies are the obstacle," says Straten.  "John McCain demonstrated dynamically and courageously that he will put kids first, before special interests."
 
McCain called choice "the civil rights issue of this century," saying "We need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice, remove barriers to qualified instructors, attract and reward good teachers, and help bad teachers find another line of work."
 
Choice and competition are fundamental concepts in Straten's plans for revitalizing the nation.  A self-described fiscal conservative, his campaign emphasizes telling voters the truth, giving them the opportunity to choose, and rewarding competition.  Straten was instrumental in founding a charter school in Paterson.