The Conservative pressure on the body politic has hijacked all conversations to apply a cost benefit equation to all aspects of government and for the matter most of society. The only exemption seems to be war, they have never asked if we can afford this or that war, the money is always available which is contrary to the American values I was brought up with, and which I believe the great majority of the American people use to share and was celebrated as special, (exceptional), values

It was inconceivable that we as a people could ever justify torture, (now called Enhanced Interrogation techniques), and a host of other activities which we are told are needed to protect us, and/or are needed for our economic good.

Our government is now so blatant as to pass laws to make legal their illegal activities and which our Supreme Court places their imprimatur.

Now what does this all have to do with education?


Saturday, April 28th, on Chris Hayes’ MSNBC program he had a group of young up and coming opinion makers. The first topic was Higher Education.

These participants most of whom I think are what we would call the informed left and I was surprised not in a positive way.

With some variation the group concentrated on the financial costs and income benefits of higher education, falling into the capitalist doctrine of cost benefit analysis of every endeavor of society.

Michael Hastings the author of “The Operators’ went on to exclaim that of his entire time in college 95% of his education was a waste of time, and the only meaningful experience was his last 6 months at NYU where he got a non-paid internship at Newsweek magazine.

I think the concept of an education has become so perverted that the institutions of Higher education are now looked on, or should be looked on as technical schools to prepare the student for a given occupation.

This belies the true value of an educated person to him-herself, and the greater value of education to society.

One only has to look and listen to the current political trash being decimated over the media today to understand that neither party has any respect for the people’s critical thinking abilities and their interest in trying to research the real issues that concern the future of our country and our well being.

The broader view of the world, a wider exposure to various writers, philosophies, and the effort to teach and encourage critical thinking are essential elements in a persons growth and maintaing a democratic society. Mr. Hastings may not understand how 95% of his education benefited him, but unless he was sleeping for 95% of the time, I would wager that he is a better person for it.

Their are inalienable rights people of modern society expect, among them access public education for their children. This should not be limited to K-12 grade, it should include higher education and trade schools. A broad liberal arts education should be followed by the technical education for whatever area the student has an interest in. This should be provided by the government free as it will not only personally benefit the individual but society socially and financially.

Kenneth Vail
www.revolutionbyevolution.com