First, money goes towards what you think is important. Guess what doesn't get money? Our school system sucks. No question about it. Teachers get paid almost nothing, don't have adequate supplies, most don't get support from their administration, and most facilities are out of date. By that I don't mean that there isn't a computer for every kid. I don't believe a computers makes for a good education. But there isn't good lab equipment, copy machines don't work, walls have cracks, and books are out of date (and there are many, many, more problems). If we really cared, we'd do something to fix our schools. As a society, we are doing nothings, so I have to guess we don't care.
Now lets look at the presidential race. We have a candidate who is the epitome of what we say we want. A minority kid with a single mother worked really hard and managed to go to Harvard law school. Shouldn't he be held up as an example of what our educational system can do? What hard work can accomplish? And what good, responsible parents can be proud of? Instead he is called elitist and out of touch with reality. He can't talk about his Harvard education because it makes him look bad!
The other candidate graduated 894 out of 899 in the navel academy. Of course, the fact that his father and grandfather where navy Admirals didn't help him pass at all. Really, it didn't. Oh, and he can't remember how many homes he owns. How is the other guy elitist? His running mate, after attending 4 different colleges, finally earned a B.A. in communications and journalism. Her big accomplishment - She finished second in the "Miss Alaska" contest and won the "Miss Congeniality" award. Yippee.
Now, I am not saying that theses people aren't intelligent, but they haven't worked hard, learned and studied. I want my leader to be smarter to me. I want him (or her, but since the person I am supporting is a him, that's what I am going to use) to know things, be able to understand things when explained to him, and think logically. Having worked hard in school and making it to Harvard is a damn good indicator that my guy has those characteristics.
And yet, people like the other. They like people who don't know what they are doing but go with their gut. To be complete honest, I don't want the hockey mom next store running my country. (Heck, I don't want me running this country) She may be down to earth, but she probably doesn't know anything about foreign politics, law, business, or science. How can I trust people to make logical decisions, when they've never been taught logic? I mean, seriously, if someone has been taught logic, they would probably make decisions on data, not from the bible. They wouldn't believe in creationism (want to learn about the logic of creationism and evolution? I haven't finished it, but I want I've seen and what I've heard has been quite good.) and they would believe in global warming, and ..... many more things.
When did we stop caring about knowledge and education? Why is it a good thing to do poorly and be applauded for that? I don't get it (then again, I'm educated and biased).
On another note, when it comes to science, I am really liking Science Debate, 2008. 14 science questions were sent to the candidates. Obama answered, and answered in ways that I like and can respect. (I don't always agree with Obama, but at least he's logical is professing to make decisions based on data, not ideology.) McCain has not answered them. Well, I guess when you ask a non-believer about climate change, you're bound to wait a while for the answers.
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