The United States has tremendous fiscal capacity. In many ways, our country is the most powerful on the
planet. We hold undisputed influence with our military, technological, and economic strength, yet many
question how much we should spend on public education—the very vehicle that brought us to where we are
today. Some believe we spend too much on public education for the modest results we obtain. Others believe
our moderate spending does not reflect the national priority we should place on education as an investment in
the human capital needed for economic vitality and enlightened citizens. The general public is not certain what
to think.17 One fact remains relatively certain. Almost everyone would be happy to pay less in taxes. In reality,
people tend to vote with their pocketbooks.