Robert Torricelli: “I know these arguments, both for and against the legislation, have been sincerely made. But, indeed, I fear that what is…”

“I know these arguments, both for and against the legislation, have been sincerely made. But, indeed, I fear that what is the beginning of a long and detailed analysis of the problems of American education has been plagued by a perennial senatorial problem, and that is making the perfect the enemy of the good. Neither Senator Coverdell nor I have ever argued that offering these private savings accounts would solve every education problem in America. They will not. No Senator could come to this floor with any proposal solving every problem. But they are the opening shot in a revolution in American education, a revolution that, if we are wise enough, will at some point include the construction of new schools, the raising of teacher salaries, the increasing of accountability, and new standards. But on this day, if we succeed, it changes the battle lines in American education by bringing private resources and the private community into the process of education.”