this is the thin end of the wedge people.

These multinational poison sellers have wanted at our children for years and this is the way they will achieve it. Bit by bit they will pay our rulers to defund education to crisis point then they will come in with their lucre and paint themselves as the saviors of our kiddies all the while indoctrinating them into submission, consumerism and OBEDIENCE!

Brainwashing them to think government is evil and only corporations can save the world and only then by buy buy buy and consume consume consume. Make Mcdonalds rich and everything will be alright.

All private and commercial involvement in education should be outlawed. The profit motive is totally unsuited to good outcomes in education, health, prisons and as we have witnessed time and again, infrastructure (think Telstra), railways, power, water and any other service that was traditionally done by government until the neocons and their gods raygun and that handbag woman in the UK got hold of the reins of power.

Maximillian,

You are right of course, life is unfair and moaning and groaning about it doesn't change it one bit. Fight we must for just causes whenever way we can.

Nonetheless eventually, if too many battles are lost and the prospects of winning any in the future seem dim indeed then fatigue and despondency set in.

In my case, while I continue fighting for the causes I believe in, I do so more from habit than from the conviction that my efforts, along with many like me will make the difference needed to secure the future of our kids or grand kids.

Incidentally maximillian, snap... I also brought up three children on my own.

Suggest that children should learn science instead of religion, and runner will blow a gasket.

Observe that fast food corporations are trying to buy their way into our schools, and he doesn't mind a bit - just recommends a bit more violence for the kiddies.

Next time I want to find out what Jesus Christ thinks of businesses co-opting our children's education, I'll log onto the Institute of Public Affairs website for his opinions.