Freedom For Sale

I was recently asked about why I don't homeschool through a public or private charter program. I mean, why not take advantage of "all the money" they give you for curriculum, classes, etc., right? To satisfy my curiosity (and be better prepared for the next person who asks!), I searched three of the local charter choices. What I found is that even the one who touts that they give "alot more money than other charters" gives but $100 per month. The following scenario gives a good picture of why I choose to remain independent (found on a fellow homeschooler's blog):

Phase one... "We're here from the government, and we're here to help you! You want to homeschool? Great...we've got a program for you. You can do whatever you want and we'll give you what you need."
Phase two... "Well, you can have our stuff, and if you want to use something else, you can buy it yourself."
Phase three... "If you use your Christian (or Moslem/Jewish/other) stuff, you'll have to do it outside of school hours."
Phase four... "You know about separation of church and state, right? Well, you can't mention God while you're doing school." OK...most of us would just shine it and talk about God anyway. HOWEVER, you are breaking the law now, even if you are encouraged by your supervising teacher to do what you want to do in the "privacy" of your own home.
Phase five..."If you want to homeschool, you have to use OUR books exclusively."
Phase six... "You need to bring your kid in to our office once a week...twice a week...etc."
Phase seven..."Come on in for our free health check-up, immunizations and psychological evaluation, or abortion without the parents' consent."
Phase eight... "We've got a great classroom program for y'all..."

I got a little taste of the early phases of this when I was involved with a public homeschool program early this year (longest 3 months of my life!). The religious and political aspects of this example are minute compared to the issue selling of one's freedom --- the freedom that DEFINES homeschooling for me --- for $1200.