I read through Uncle's less than optimistic post on what is essentially the state of American civilization. It's sad really. Despite some objections to Mr. Uncle's pessimism, things are likely going to get worse:
Fewer than half of American teenagers who were asked basic questions about history and literature during a recent telephone survey knew when the Civil War was fought, and one-quarter thought that Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World sometime after 1750, not in 1492.Don't think so? Read on.
The results of the survey, released Tuesday, demonstrate that a significant proportion of American teenagers live in “stunning ignorance” of history and literature, according to the group that commissioned it.
In this character of the Americans a love of freedom is the predominating feature which marks and distinguishes the whole; and as an ardent is always a jealous affection, [Americans] become suspicious, restive, and untractable whenever they see the least attempt to wrest from them by force, or shuffle from them by chicane, what they think the only advantage worth living for. This fierce spirit of liberty is stronger in [America], probably, than in any other people of the earth...I wish that applied to America today; perhaps it does to some Americans, but not enough for that statement to be accurate today. That was Edmund Burke in his speech, 'Conciliation with the Colonies' in March of 1775. Sure, that was a long time ago under different circumstances. But I gave you a glimpse of the past, a glimpse of the future, and if you don't believe Uncle, have a look for yourself at America today.
They augur misgovernment at a distance, and snuff the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze.
We're not winning, and we will keep on not winning.
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Although the frightening lack of historical perspective is important, that's not the only problem in the education of our children.
They are being indoctrinated into the collectivist, dependent, perpetual victim mindset from the earliest age.
From the "there are no winners and losers" to the "outcome based" (lack of) grading system, to the lack of enforced discipline to the "society is responsible for our well-being and capitalism is killing the Polar Bears" nonsense, entire generations of children are being brainwashed in the public schools.
The smallest things are used to reinforce the lessons: Don't fight back against the bullies...let someone in an authority position handle it. Everyone dump your school supplies in this big box and we'll redistribute them so that everyone has the same quality and quantity of materials. It's not FAIR for some students to have more or better than others.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Some kids will be responsive to counter-indoctrination in the home...some will not. But most won't even get a contrary message at home where the parents main concern is who advanced on American Idol last night.
The end result is that, with every generation, our public indoctrination centers churn out more and more good little collectivist, nanny state, pro-government bots.
We are past the point of no return. True individualists are in the extreme minority and it's going to get worse before it gets REALLY bad, before it gets better.
I grieve for my grandchildren because I fear that they will either be slaves, or live to have to fight for their freedom as our ancestors did...and so the cycle will repeat.
Thank God for places like Montana.
I fear it too, but I'm not too pessimistic. It's still very possible to steer this country back in a better direction. It's a daunting task, but doable.
Some kids will be responsive to counter-indoctrination in the home...some will not. But most won't even get a contrary message at home where the parents main concern is who advanced on American Idol last night.
Which is why this voucher thing needs to take off, it nearly passed in Utah. At least there's discussion.
Home-school is another alternative, which many parents are providing. Colleges aren't as bad as talk radio makes them out to be either, at least IMO. Most business majors know that socialism is crap, and I don't think college kids are the gullible sponges they're made out to be either.
I just think there's still plenty of working room to change things for the better.
We may not be winning, but we ain't quitting either.
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