The article discusses the critical role of public education in the United States, highlighting its historical significance in fostering an educated workforce and instilling core democratic values. The authors, Sidney Shapiro and Joseph P. Tomain, note that recent actions by the Trump administration, including significant cuts to the Department of Education and the promotion of private schooling, jeopardize these foundational aspects of American society. They argue that public education is a public good that benefits not only individual students but also the nation as a whole. The authors reference the historical context of public education, from Horace Mann's vision of common schools to the GI Bill's impact on post-war education. They warn that the shift of funding towards private schools could lead to increased inequality and a diminished commitment to universal education, ultimately threatening the democratic principles that underpin American society.