How many of those parents, may I ask, had experienced the U.S. public schools so they had some basis for comparison? My impression is that French public schools experience less variability in funding than U.S. schools, which unfortunately vary widely in that aspect from State to State and community to community. There is one France, including the French territories around the world, which are also part of France. Whereas, effectively, fifty bitchy countries make up the U.S. and share a few laws, but not all. U.S. Territories are not part of the U.S. but foreign lands over which the U.S. dictates and exercises veto power . There is one notable feature of comparison between France and the U.S. , however, where there can be no argument. French wine, in France, is the better buy, by far!, than American wine in the U.S. If we can't have decent public schools, let us at least have decent wine at a fair price. If I decide to throw my hat in the ring for President this go round, that shall be my rallying cry.
There is good wine from all over the world. Malbec (Argentina) has been in my cupboard for months after a friend shipped me a few cases for a party a few months ago. Sottano Reserva 2014. Also Apothic Crush (2015 California) is excellent and cheap. Have a few cases of these, too. I love French wine but recently cracked open a 10 year old bottle that was gifted to me (like a $1000 bottle) and it had gone sour. Nothing more disappointing than that.