I spent the first three years of my professional life as a public school teacher. Subsequently, I worked five years as an employment counselor and director of two youth and community development programs. In 1971, I joined Gov. John West’s staff, and four years later Gov. West appointed me state Human Affairs commissioner, where I served almost 18 years before retiring to run for Congress in 1992.

My three children are graduates of the public schools, and one of them is currently a public school teacher. My two grandchildren attend a public school, and I have served two stints as president of parent-teacher associations. I have had the opportunity to interact with the public schools in various capacities and on many different levels for almost 60 years.

There is little doubt in my mind that the biggest contributor to our nation’s success and relative stability is our public school system. There is also little doubt in my mind that Gov. Mark Sanford’s tax credit plan is a big threat to that success and stability.

Even if one were to believe that every family with children in public schools could afford the up-front out-of-pocket costs of sending them to private schools and wait to claim a tax credit the following year, and that every private school to which they apply would accept them, what right thinking human being can condone allowing a corporation to direct all the taxes, or fees in lieu of taxes it owes the state, to help fund private schools?

I have been in various arenas of public life since helping to organize the first sit-ins in South Carolina 45 years ago. We fought to end unfair and unequal treatment mostly by private individuals acting under the color of state laws. Much of it was raw, but none of it as sinister as this scheme. Just think about it. If Gov. Sanford has his way, he will use public funds to recruit industry, use public funds to make them eligible for state and federal tax credits, use public funds to provide them with needed infrastructure, and then allow them to contribute their taxes, or fees in lieu of taxes, to private schools.

I guess one could call this “putting parents in charge.” And this could be accurate if you are one of the few with sufficient wealth to pay the private school fees and await reimbursement from the state for a portion of those fees a year later. It would definitely be accurate if you have school-aged children and your business is a recipient of the state’s incentives.

Before going to Congress, I spent a number of years serving on the state board of one of South Carolina’s largest banks. At our meetings we spent as much time discussing our state’s social problems and educational needs as we did our economic conditions and bottom-line possibilities. Those discussions were vigorous and visionary, but they were also civil and compassionate.

We were Democrats and Republicans, men and women, blacks and whites. I don’t believe a single one of us would have ever proposed, or supported, undercutting families whose best hopes of breaking the cycle of poverty rest in the viability of the public schools.

Let me be clear. I have no problems with private schools. I graduated from one, and so did my mother. Private schools are useful, and we often use public funds to pay for their infrastructures and other common needs. I do not know if a state or federal court will deem Gov. Sanford’s plan unfair or unconstitutional, but every unselfish educator and compassionate business person will find it immoral and unconscionable.

Mr. Clyburn represents South Carolina’s 6th District in the U.S. House.