Catholic parents are concerned with presidential candidate Joe Biden's stance on school choice programs, with many saying they will not support him because of his stance against private schools.
"Our focus is on Catholic schools because that's who we are. School choice is... not an option for private schools of any kind—private sector schools, Christian school, any of those schools," Paul Domalakes said in an interview with Coal Region News.
Every private school outperforms the public schools, he said.
"Now, many people raised the issue, well, public schools have to take people. Private schools don't. Well, think about that – if people, parents, don't care if their children are educated, why should we be subsidizing schools that sort of cater to that group?"
Domalakes said that's a concern of his.
Domalakes and his wife, Patti Domalakes, do not support Biden's stance.
"I think it's absolutely idiotic of Joe Biden to not want children to do the best that they can do and to learn in the best way that they can at the best school that they can," Patti Domalakes said. "So, no, I would not support a candidate who would not support school choice."
Paul Domalakes said Biden's position is illogical.
"There's no logic to it and it's completely ridiculous," Paul Domalakes said. "He's subsidizing and he wants to subsidize a process that is dumbing down America."
Domalakes said public schools aren't always properly educating students. He said any school is better than public school.
"And so then say he wants to stop everything else, that makes me wonder about what kind of commitment he has to democracy," Paul Domalakes said. "Because you can't have a democracy with ill-educated people."
Patti Domalakes said most people want school choice because they want their children to be well-educated and they want them to do better.
"So, I think Democrats would do well to embrace school choice because it benefits everyone. So I really question why...wouldn't Democrats want this, want the best for our country?" Patti Domalakes said.
Biden has made his stance on school choice known, and several officials in other states that students and private schools would lose money and scholarships if he were to become president.
Brian Burch, the CEO of Catholic Vote told the Milwaukee City Wire that Wisconsin would lose millions that help that state's 34,000 Catholic school students if that happened.
"Joe Biden is an avowed enemy of school choice programs across the U.S.," Burch said, Milwaukee City Wire reported. "He has said he will do whatever it takes to stop them. Wisconsin's program is among the most successful and will be a prime target."
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