Education and Democracy
Only a serious conversation about the meaning of democracy in our fractious and increasingly diverse nation – a conversation that confronts the costs and realities of an uninformed and disinformed voting public, one that challenges our current election practices that have made money so vital to a candidate’s hopes; a conversation that, on a broader level, examines our focus on the private and the individual at the expense of the public, the community, and the collective good – only such a public conversation will lead us closer to that more perfect democratic union we all say we seek but which too few have been willing to enable.
I find it hard sometimes not to see conspiracies. Conspiracy theories are usually associated with mental illness but sometimes things just seem to fit together so nicely, I begin to wonder if someone (or some group) is orchestrating things. Though, the synchronicity might be entirely a coincident brought together by similar forces working toward similar aims. So, where’s the conspiracy here? Well, California’s public education is being dismantled. Instead of informing the public more, we’re informing the public less. With the end-effect that true democracy becomes ever more elusive keeping the current elites in power (and well educated through private education). How convenient. Though maybe the intend is not to undermine democracy through the defunding of public education. But that sure is the effect.
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I completely agree, Vijav! And thank you for the compliment!
Through Michael Moore I found out about an act in Congress, which might help by taking the money out of elections. Although it probably has a fat chance of passing, here’s more info: “The Fair Elections Now Act (S. 752 and H.R. 1826) was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and in the House of Representatives by Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.) and Walter Jones, Jr. (R-N.C.). The bill would allow federal candidates to choose to run for office without relying on large contributions, big money bundlers, or donations from lobbyists, and would be freed from the constant fundraising in order to focus on what people in their communities want.”
The word and meaning of Democracy does not really apply to our society today.
Where are the freedom of speeches and also the freedom of education?
A well written piece.