Special Education/Programs for the "Mentally Challenged", Useful or useless? Options

[MissHygienic]

There has been an ongoing debate about whether or not to levy taxes to properly fund public schools. I already know of a few under-funded school districts who forced teachers to work double shifts, and many schools were not able to provide paper, pens, or pencils because no one paid enough taxes.

With that said, what is your opinion on special education that is funded by the state? Public schools are already having a hard enough time. Should people waste more time and money on people with irreconcilable disabilities, or do you believe that all people should have education, whether or not they make use of it?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

[Spirited Away]

If everyone is in accordance that those with disabilities that can still function or learn to function should be eligible for special education programs, then there's really no controversy. There are evaluation standards (that vary by programs/schools/districts) for enrollment in these programs. As such, they will probably limit or filter out who is eligible or who is not able to benefit from the program.

As for funding these programs, hell yes. In my humble opinion, it shouldn't matter who is "necessary" to society. If we begin to classify ourselves and designate certain rights to certain groups of people, it will be disastrous; where will it end? The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should not be unavaible to these people.

About "dependency" and causing problems to those around them, babies and the elderly may very well belong in these categories, shall parents not spend money on their babies and shall we cut off funding to programs that aid seniors?

Where will it stop? It doesn't.

[superstitious]

As for funding these programs, hell yes. In my humble opinion, it shouldn't matter who is "necessary" to society. If we begin to classify ourselves and designate certain rights to certain groups of people, it will be disastrous; where will it end? The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should not be unavaible to these people.

About "dependency" and causing problems to those around them, babies and the elderly may very well belong in these categories, shall parents not spend money on their babies and shall we cut off funding to programs that aid seniors?

Where will it stop? It doesn't.

That was what I was trying to elude to before, although not nearly as well as you have said outright here.

I can truly understand both sides of the argument, my problem is the idea or sentiment that certain individuals are inherently useless, without a hope.