One Congressional former heavyweight, issued support this week for school choice, calling on politicians to put politics aside and do what is best for the children.

In an opinion piece featured on Foxnews.com, Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey criticized legislators who allow unions and party politics to get to them, rather than focusing on providing educational options to all students. 

"The great hypocrisy of politicians who oppose school choice is that most claim allegiance to a party and philosophy that so often claims the moral high ground as defenders of the disadvantaged," said Armey.

Armey not only pointed the finger at Democrats, such as President Clinton, who informed Armey in 1998 he would veto the District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 1998 due to the National Education Association's support during his impeachment trial, but at his own party as well.

"There is unfortunate opposition from Republicans and conservatives, who say the government should not be involved in school choice initiatives, that we should leave it to the private sector," says Armey.  "While private money helps pay for private schooling, the failing public schools are still rewarded with taxpayers' money.  School choice creates incentives for public schools to improve that private charity simply does not create," he continued.

Armey is right.  No matter what your political affiliation may be, providing students and families with choices beyond the status quo is a no-brainer.  We make dozens of choices every day in our lives, why should education be any different?