It’s just odd that so many people here seem to be so in favor of the “sit down and shut up” style of schooling. Isn’t it pretty widely agreed upon that US public schools suck? Don’t you think there are some parents who are homeschooling their children explicitly because they feel their public school would not prepare them to be good members of society?
This doesn't seem to be so self-evident. Why do I care about the education of those around me?
...generates more economic activity
...understands basic civics and government
The public school system isn't doing that for our fellow citizens already. I fail to see why it would be worse if the failure happens at home rather than in a government building.
And that's a fair criticism of some public schools. And some home-schoolers. And probably some private schools.
That's also why you care about the state of the public school system, even if you have no kids (or they don't attend public school).