>Because that privilege costs a ton of money that only the upper middle class and the elite can comfortably afford?

It's almost like people should take some responsibility for their kids' futures instead of handing them over to the state and saying "Well free education is right there, it better be damn good!" Doesn't work that way.

(This coming from a guy who went to a not-very-good public school and plans on sending his kids to public school, mind you.)