Editor:

    On January 26th the Portland Press Herald had this
to say about the school consolidation scheme: “But critics ought to
understand that change is coming: Maine’s economic potential should not
be sacrificed on the altar of local control?”

    In response, please consider the following:

    “If it is believed that... elementary schools will
be better managed by the governor and council, the commissioners of the
literary fund or any other general authority of the government than by
the parents within each ward, it is a belief against all experience.
Try the principle one step further, and...commit to the governor and
council the management of all our farms, our mills and merchants’
stores. No, my friend, the way to have good and safe government is not
to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing
to every one exactly the functions he is competent to.” (Thomas
Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 1816) Regarding “altars,” the man who
produced the Declaration of Independence had this to say:

    “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal
hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” (Thomas
Jefferson)

    Timeless wisdom as we face the usurpation upon local
government by the State as it pertains to developing the minds of our
children.

David Sawicki

Cape Elizabeth