Defense of U.S. education system missed the point

Am I listening to the points Mercedes Oxford wrote regarding my editorial about the political agenda inside of our educational community? You bet and I even hear what she is saying. However, her letter reminds me of my first paper in philosophy class my freshman year at the U of M in which I received a grade of F plus — well-written but completely irrelevant to the topic.

My letter was not about the dedication or hard work exhibited by our teachers, which I have always admired. It was not about funding although that in and of itself is a great topic to explore. It’s not about the emotional attachment students form with their teachers, which is commendable. And it’s not about the number of different classes our schools give for its more accomplished students. It’s about the “political system” education has become involved in. Mercedes may be too young to comprehend or understand that system.

There is a liberal bias and agenda in our schools as the educational community has become part of the liberal political system. Just ask any legislator about the power of the education lobby. However, it would appear that educators have taught Mercedes well that when confronted with topics like this, it is best to ignore the topic, be emotional and attack. But be sure not to discuss the issue.

Mercedes graduated from the University of Montanas — she’s young, female and an aspiring attorney which generally speaking equates to a liberal philosophy. I would surmise she’s been taught to passionately believe in global warming, feminism, support abortion, the theory of androgynism and evolution.

Moreover, she has probably been led to believe and embrace the further insertion of government controls inside of both the social and financial aspects of our country. She has heard the promotion of income redistribution by the government as an acceptable method to achieve social harmony. She has been exposed to liberal reasons to hate big business, to distrust capitalism, to denigrate white males and to be contemptuous of any religious affiliations, particularly Christianity.

She has heard the promotions for Hollywood, the belief that freedom of speech protects pornography, the insinuation that the Constitution does not totally protect the ownership of guns, the concepts of social justice and the power of the collective. Finally, she has been, more than likely, indoctrinated to support homosexuality and other gender choices.

However, I would venture to guess she has heard little, if anything, from the other side of the political spectrum delivered with the same sort of fervor as the very liberal professors at the University of Montana exhibit. In other words, there is no second political opinion needed. I would be delighted to have someone show me I was wrong.  

The issue is about the political system supported by forced taxation of citizens and forced union dues from our teachers, which supports and promotes liberal policies inside of the educational community. It is about recognizing the issue and discussing it with appropriate citizenry. It’s about eliminating or restoring balance to our educational community relative to partisan discussions inside of our schools and universities.

Our educational community is supposed to teach kids to think, critically evaluate, and be open to different perspectives. If the letter written by Mercedes is any indication of the quality of education to support those goals, I am not impressed.

Agather is a resident of Kalispell.