The fact that the teaching profession is one of the lowest paying in this country may actually be a reflection of how the public sector views compensation and competition in general. While this was not the case just a few decades ago, graduates seeking lucrative compensation packages and job satisfaction have consistently gravitated away from the noble teaching profession and its depressed wages. The rationale that people are attracted to teaching for reasons other than money is certainly true and well documented. However, this should not be used as an excuse for not correcting one of the greatest labor market injustices in history. We must seriously question how policymakers would continue to allow elementary and secondary teachers to be undercompensated for so long. These same elected officials never blink an eye when it comes to passing legislation that gives them regular salary increases. When one examines the salary levels of public school administrators vis-à-vis classroom teachers, it all seems twisted and disproportionate. We say that public education is our most important domestic priority, but yet we don’t offer prospective teachers salaries that are competitive with other career choices. Perhaps teachers are the victims of a schizophrenic government system that preaches high quality public education but is not willing to pay the price to recruit high quality talent. In the private sector, when they want the best talent they pay top dollar to hire them. Legislators constantly complain about the imperfections of private markets and the need for more government participation to level the playing field or make it more competitive. With regard to public schooling, one logical response would seem to be the elevation of teacher compensation to levels that are competitive with the professions that are recruiting our most talented individuals. It is not enough for policymakers to argue about the shortcomings of private enterprise, our elected officials need to employ ideas and tools that will cause the teaching profession and public schooling to be a career of choice and not a last resort.