"America, I Think I Remember It"

Remember 1776, when we were born as a nation? We didn't have much of a public school system back then; most schooling was done in the home, out of the family bible. We didn't have gigantic school districts with all of the most modern facilities, filled with people specifically trained in subjects such as science, history, math and English; you know, teachers. Strangely, we went through a period of growth and invention, which today's accomplishments pale in comparison. Back then, a child was told he (or she) had the opportunity to pursue their dreams, unfettered by the limits of social station or imagination. We produced Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Walt Disney, Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King. There are still examples of American made success today; ask Bill Gates or Donald Trump; they believe America still works. This nation has produced some of the finest minds in the world, most of which came from local schools. The pursuit of knowledge is an individual goal; a teacher can plant a seed, but only the student can make it grow. It would be nice if everybody lived in an affluent neighborhood, with all of the advantages that money can bring. Oddly, the people I mentioned in the above paragraph were not all products of affluence; yet, they still had their measures of success in America.

I just read an article from NEWSWEEK that said 38% of people tested failed a citizenship test; wow! In a nation that has the INTERNET, and the largest public school system on planet earth, our people can't pass a basic test about our government. This may explain the results of the last presidential race! Only 29% could identify the Vice-President; sorry Joe! As a "baby boomer" I was upset to learn that 73% didn't know the reasons for the "Cold War"; what is going on in school today? Here is something that should upset every American; 44% were unable to define the Bill of Rights, and only 6% could find Independence Day on a calendar!!

Now comes the crazy part of this whole article; this tribute to public ignorance is being attributed to the free enterprise system in America! It is the fault of "income inequality" and a "decentralized education system". This is the most idiotic explanation I've ever heard in my 63 years of life. Our government has been interfering in our educational system for the past 50 years, and the only thing it has accomplished is an equality of mediocrity, and a lack of inspiration. Students don't learn because they haven't been moved to do so; they have been brain-washed into a mentality of "I've got it coming to me", and ambition is something that has been eliminated from the American conscience. Perhaps, if we, as a nation, spent more time involved with our children's education and less time with "American Idol" or "Jerseylicious", then there would be real impact on our next generation. Perhaps, if tenure wasn't so confining, we could rid our children of teachers who just don't care anymore, and are just putting in their time.

Before we buy into this argument against free markets and free enterprise, we should look at those nations which have "equal educational opportunity" provided by mega-government. Yes, there is nothing more inspiring than an endless row of Red Chinese children playing violins like tiny automatons. Remember, these are also nations that do their best to stifle free thought. We are a nation based on individual accomplishment. American success has been made by those who pursue their dreams. We need to restore the value of knowledge to our children. They need to know why America is great and different from all other nations. This is not about capitalism; it's about what we, as a nation, hold as important. When adults don't know the history of our country, or how our country functions, what message are we sending to our children?