Bad Apples

(Bad Apples)

People can get emotional. These days, such emotions can evolve to irrationality. Like burning a Tesla or their dealerships. Vandalism committed on their facilities. Why ? One would think an electric car would be praised in this climate of global warming. But the CEO, Elon Musk, has joined the Dark Side and has been working with President Trump to cut government spending. This generated a rage that has yet to be assuaged. One can easily blame the education system for these actions. People cannot read or write but they know of a menacing Tesla when they see one and those responsible will be charged with domestic terrorism.


What do people learn these days ? For the last few decades, that has been a question posed to the Department of Education where it has been less important. An educated population is a less compliant population. The Department in recent years has focused on its bureaucracy and resistance to altering the status quo. Cemetaries are full with plans to reform the Education Department.


So President Trump signs an Executive Order dis-banding the Institution. That is easier said than done as Congress will need legislation to zero out DoE. But Trump has the right idea, if the goal is to instruct American pupils in what they will need for life. That means reading. That means math. That means basic science. That does NOT mean any social construct that would promote equity at the expense of merit. Equalizing outcomes. Everybody gets a trophy. It is unfortunate that there are disparate abilities but for those who can succeed should have the opportunity.


That opportunity cannot happen under the Aegis of the Department of Education. There is a reason why the President favors school choice. How vouchers could be employed to send a student to an institution that makes it a point in instructing the basics. Ending the Education Department might have logistical issues but if power devolves from the center and out to the states and more local control, the DoE will only have an empty building.


What about all the so-called special needs student ? Those who are differently abled ? Is the Department of Education the only re-course open to those ? There are alternatives and if anything has been realized, that does not necessarily come from the Education Department.


The current Secretary is Linda McMahon. If all goes to plan. she will be the last.

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