POST SCRIPTS

This is frightening.

And educated populace is essential to the well being of a Republic.

I find it interesting that I hear more and more politicians saying that we can “do it�, because we are Americans. Not in the same manner of speaking as Ronald Reagan; no this is much different. I seem to hear liberals invoking such sentiments more now. Ronald Reagan made such statements with the intent of giving more power to the individual. Liberals invoke it for the purpose of convincing Americans, that what is needed is more government intervention. Helping the poor (apparently through government programs) is the “American� thing to do. When liberals speak about implementing poor economic policy, they speak of being able to make it happen because we are Americans. They say these things while at the same time undermining our traditions and institutions.

Let me make this very clear. There is NOTHING “naturally� better about Americans. We are not genetically superior to other nationalities. What makes our nation superior is the political, economic, social and religious institutions which comprise our culture. What makes America so very precious are those provisions we have made for the protection of our individual liberty. What gives us a sense of pride is the realization of its scarcity in the world; and such realization should instill in us the desire to preserve it. How can we possibly expect to endure without these institutions? How can we possibly expect to remain free when our youth are not taught the significance and yes, superiority of these institutions? Are we foolish enough to believe that because we have survived and in fact prospered thus far we are now genetically predisposed toward success?

History suggests otherwise. I by no means feel that America has reached her zenith, or that we are on the verge of decline. I am not, however, naive enough to believe that we are immune to it. The utter disrespect that is being shown in our GOVERNMENT, funded and subsidized, education programs toward US History and institutions is appalling. An enemy could not wish for a better tool to dismantle his opponent. Why would we ever presume to do so on our own? Clearly our education system has become inundated with individuals who are very short on experience and long on theories concerning cultural institutions and their effects on society.

Very well said, Nick. The sad thing for these students is that they believe they have received a good education...they have paid highly for a product that will not support them or the nation as it should.

But there is good news too. The trend is changing for that segment of the population that considers itself more conservative. I understand that Hillsdale College, one of the best, if not the best, has built a number of private schools across our nation in the last few years. The demand keeps growing for quality education, and private schools are stepping up to fill the void that our public institutions have created. I have a friend that homeschooled her son. He's only 15 and he and his mom are now doing Jr. college together in preperation for Chico State.

Public schools (generally) are teaching tomorrows protesters and "cause carriers". Private schools are creating tomorrows leaders. I kinda like what that means for our side.

That is a good point Tina.

UNfortunately I think we are producing to many people who will feed off of the system, rather than contirubte to it.

The founders attempted to create a system where the two great "evils" of republican government could be avoided as much as possible. Those two evils were inefficencey, and the "tyranny of the majority". Subsequent ammendments to the constitution have taken greater power away from the states on the dertermination of electors. This has produced an enviornment where the many are easily convinced that it is their right to take from the few, to distribute through their representatives as they see fit.

This kind of practice is permeating our system.

...we are producing to many people who will feed off of the system, rather than contirubte to it.

and,

...produced an enviornment where the many are easily convinced that it is their right to take from the few...

You're right on about this. I don't know that we can't still reverse this trend though...which is one of the major reasons we all assemble here, isn't it? I've certainly observed a growing awareness and desire to preserve this precious nation and system. Educating the young, abundance of information, and eternal vigilence might yet see us through.