In the debate over vouchers, proponents emphasize the element of choice, a patriotic-sounding buzzword used successfully to promote other controversial notions. Supporters argue that by providing financial assistance, families who could not otherwise afford to send their kids to a private school would now be able to do so.

Great in theory, but the fact of the matter is that vouchers will do nothing to help poor or even middle class families send their kids to any private school. The most any family could get under the voucher law is $3,000, and one would expect that such families qualifying for the maximum amount would have limited financial resources. Tuition for private schools is about $5,500 per year. What poor or middle-class family who needs voucher assistance would be able to come up with the additional $2500 per child to send their kids to a private school? None.

Let's be honest about who will really benefit from vouchers -- wealthy families who already have sufficient money to make up the difference.The voucher law amounts to welfare for the well-to-do, and the law was railroaded through by legislators who ignored the wishes of Utah voters, who should defeat vouchers on November 6.

•David Op't Hof, Provo