John Stossel - Stupid In America: A Look At Education

This is one of my big concerns since I had a child. Love John Stossel and his magnum mustache.

"That erroneous assumption is to the effect that the aim of public education is to fill the young of the species with knowledge and awaken their intelligence, and so make them fit to discharge the duties of citizenship in an enlightened and independent manner. Nothing could be further from the truth. The aim of public education is not to spread enlightenment at all, it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality. That is its aim in the United States, whatever the pretensions of politicians, pedagogues and other such mountebanks, and that is its aim everywhere else." ~ H.L. Mencken ~

Religion, Greedy Corporations and bad Government leads to illiterate America. We need a Government here at home who will take care of business here at home and help friendly foreign nations when they ask for it and only send manpower in when they are expected to win and get out at the end. Stop policing the world. Protect Americans here and not halfway around the world. Stop lying and cheating and offer our services when we become decent and civilized enough to know right from wrong and can gain people power over and above Government power.

Those who trash public schools are the antithesis to our founding fathers, especially Thomas Jefferson who believed public education was a right of all. Shame on those who demonize the rignt of all people to education simply to appease their own selfish political motivations.

Perhaps I am spoiled , but the schools here are very good . An astronaut , opera singer , lots of great minds have come from here . From public schools . As they function today I fear they are too much for profit and perhaps , not as well managed , still , excellent places for kids . I do think teachers should get better pay , you would be astonished at what extra lengths some of them go to for the kids . There may be places where the communities have allowed things to go wrong , that does not mean it has done so EVERYWHERE . John Stossel has lost his edge , And his credibility with me .

A little light reading.

The change in society has much to do with failing education.
More parents are concerned about whether little Billie has the right clothes to wear, than the books he will need.
They are more concerned that the teachers give him a good grade, whether he deserves it or not. (Wouldn't want to make him learn the lessons now would they?)
Also....putting kids on drugs because they can't sit still is CRIMINAL!
Numerous studies have shown that hyper-active kids grow out of it and catch up in learning as they get toward and past adolescents.

John Stossell is a part of the dumbing of America. The media does nothing but sensationalize what the people want to hear, not what they need to hear. For how many weeks did the media sensationalize a drug addict who doctor shopped for sleeping medication that eventually killed him. Michael Jackson was in the top of the news for weeks. Why? When was the last time Mr. Stossel stepped into a classroom to see teachers working for low wages, yet, caring about every one of their students on an academic and emotional level? How dare he say we are dumbing down America in education when it is his own profession who reports such trivial reports. Where is the information about our government and how big business influences any decisions being made in government because these industries have the congressman in their pockets? Let's get it straight Stossel! You're not reporting. You are making money with a book of lies.

The problem with education today is those who are in education do not understand the true meaning of education.

The best of example of such scenario can be found at many of California State University campuses, like Calstate LA, Fresno State, etc.

We have incompetent, unqualified, stupid administrators running the operation to boost their ego rather than to enrich and enlighten the minds of the students. We have good (the right teachers) discouraged so badly they leave the profession, giving ground to less qualified teachers to further corrupt the students. This is the picture we have today. And the result is what we all see: a mess. This nation cannot continue to compete against the world's fast changing global economic landscape because we've failed to produce competent and capable workers. It all starts in education - both at home and at school.

America has begun its journey in disgrace. And we have bad politicians (school and university administrators) to blame on. These are the elements that are responsible for the destruction of our country. And they have to power to fire good teachers - the construction workers of a better nation.

Can't wait for John to do an expose' on hom skule...

John Stosel is stupid. How can anyone take him seriously when he approaches a subject this important in the same way a local reporter would aproach a story about a vending machine safety or gas station attendants that don't give you correct change. He's trying to scare old people into watching, but just for the ad revenue, not to educate anyone or offer real solutions. And what the hell is up with that moustache and haircut? Who does he think he is, Magnum Rivera P.I.? I hope you all realize that he is going to grow up into another Andy Rooney, complaing about how moustahces aren't in style like they we're when he was young.

lmg:

I would like to hear who you would compare to John Stossel in the major media. Please give me 3 examples (since they are so abundant) of people who practice libertarian principles such as anti-war, pro-economic freedom, pro-civil liberties, and calls themselves libertarian. I would like at least 2 examples (and no, Glenn Beck is not a true libertarian so PLEASE stop thinking that just because Fox News or his crew might try to tell you that).

Peace

Chemical Dumbing Down of America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLYrSfnsqb0

Charlotte Iserbyt - Deliberate Dumbing Down of the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDyDtYy2I0M

@ fearless typical Liberal approach "John Stosel is stupid." We have to attack someone by name calling. Liberals can't rebuttal against the argument, they can't reason and that is why they always attack people by calling them names.

critic you are correct. Here is the typical Liberal. I have nothing intellectual to debate so I will attack the individual or the individuals that do have something intelligent to say.

I mean come on "And what the hell is up with that moustache and haircut? Who does he think he is, Magnum Rivera P.I.? I hope you all realize that he is going to grow up into another Andy Rooney, complaing about how moustahces aren't in style like they we're when he was young."

What the hell does that have to do with the video?

Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.

I think our education needs to be fixed but some of you seem like you want to abolish it and that doesn't make any damn sense. That would cause things to get worse but anyways, maybe instead of worrying so much on the military maybe our government should spend some cash on Education for once instead of it being the money pool we use to pay for eveyrthing else. Although I do believe in having unions on certian things, they have become so big and greedy they're hurting the things they were ment to protect. Our country needs an overhaul and we should start with education. I just want to make sure our country isn't going down the wrong path and that the film Idiocracy stays a movie and not a glimse into our future.

The problem with schools is the TEACHER'S UNION.

Unions SUCK.They cause more problems than they fix.

The only unions I think work are the Writer's Guild and the Actor's Guild and that's it.

There once was a book called Johnny Cant Read, I believe this came out in the 70s then there is Johnny still cant read, and the next book should be Johnny will never read. The NEA is in deeper than anyone realizes,into the policy making and there agenda is not our kids. We are the richest country and put more money into our ED system than any other country, and still come behind 3rd world countries, in testing. The Dutch and other UK school students are actually laughing at us at how dumbing down we are. Its not more money that we need. Somewhere along the line we had a tipping point where school staff went from being public servants to government royality. And some areas the kid could care less about getting an education. Who are sitting in the free libraries in summer? Not inner city kids.

And who is watching those children? Where are the parents? It's not the job of NEA or the teacher or administration to parent. Society needs to change its views on what is important. Too much media dumbs the nation. Parents need to talk to their children, turn off the TV and video games, read, and do as those in the UK do.