Jeff Jacoby’s argument in favor of school choice seems to suggest that he believes the best education system would be one where every parent could send their child — on the taxpayer’s dime — to a school that reflected their own views. This is an argument for publicly funded safe spaces on a grand level.

Jacoby isn’t really objecting to public education; he is objecting to democracy itself. Public schools run by democratically elected school boards require both children and parents to find common ground, to adapt to differences of opinion, and, ultimately, to work with people they disagree with. Sometimes this process is contentious, as it should be.

Contrary to what Jacoby says, public institutions that force Americans to talk to each other and work together are exactly what we need right now.

David Adams

Somerville