And, Joe, the reason that places like Charlotte are successful is because business sprung up out of the university system. It's called the "research triangle" because the minds that were attracted there for school then spread out into research and development companies. They were smart enough to form a coalition between the University of North Carolina and private business. Excellent economic development strategy, because you will attract and retain an excellent business base with high-paying jobs.

And, yes, infrastructure is critical to business. If you don't have public water, reliable and affordable electricity and excellent highways and other transportation options (shipping, rail, air), you're doomed.

As for private schools, why should I pay real estate taxes and then pay tuition, too? Isn't that what my taxes are for? To pay for public schools? Why wouldn't I want my money's worth?