“In all countries, in all centuries, the primary reason for government to set up schools is to undermine the politically weak by convincing their children that the leaders are good and their policies are wise. The core is religious intolerance. The sides simply change between the Atheists, Catholics, Protestants, Unitarians, etc., depending whether you are talking about the Soviet Union, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, America, etc. A common second reason is to prepare the boys to go to war and the girls to cheer them on.”

That about says it all.

In my life time this country has repeatedly gone to war for reasons that history eventually exposed as lies and deceptions. Millions have suffered and died as a result. Unfortunatley, history is about to repeat itself. Marshall Fritz is dead off target.

And yet, all you need is one counter example to disprove this theory... and the counter examples abound. The entire experience of the 60s & 70s shows us that good educational systems will teach independent thought that stands in the face of the evil being perpetuated by our leaders. If there is a question to be asked, it is how did we fail in this process and end up "electing" (twice!) King George W & his court of jesters...

Methinks anonymous stuck his foot in his mouth and has answered his own question. The 'school system' was founded as 'schooling' in socialism/collectivism in the 1890's by the same socialists (Bellamys) that gave us a pledge of allegiance and NAZI salute to the warfare/welfare state/military industrial complex, NOT an education in life,liberty, property and the true rule of law! I'd be ashamed and anonymous ,too, if I were he. Things now are worse than the 60/70's he is enamored with.

Their is both shallowness and truth in this quote. Of course all communities as the writer said teach children what is "important" for their personal success and for the success of the society or nation. The fact that he finds this in all countres means that their is not a secret effort on the part of government in the USA to subvert our children. Can you guys dig this, get this. THERE IS NO INTENTIONAL ATTEMPT TO SUBVERT OUR CHILDREN BY GOVERNMENT! Public shcool free of relgious intolerance, censorship, where all relgions can come together in respectful diversity is the best thing we have going in this country. If children were each educated in select schools based on religion, wealth, or priviledge consider what kind of society we might wind up with. That thought and teaching and customs gravitate towards something called the "norm" goes without saying, thus Native American languages, life styles etc. melded into the larger "normal" society. This is the way it is.

Waffler, good response, you proved the statement irrefutable. You are absolutely convinced your good leaders have wise policies and government hasn't set up or is not the overlord of community schools. The only difference between the then statement, and the now reality, is that all so called educational purveyors prepare boys and girls to go to war and those that stay at home cheer them on.

That societies have protected themselves throughout history is I guess agreed on. That the US government is evil in this regard I deny. My good leaders are my neighbors and friends and the community in which I live. That they and I and especially you make mistakes I have no doubt. That we correct our mistakes, I think we try, that we or especially you are perfect I wholeheartedly deny. That all persons and societies make decisions concerning morality, defense and war and peace, unfortunaltely yes. That making moral choices is the cards that we have been dealt individually and thus as a society or nation I wholeheartedly agree. That some like yourself wish not to make these choices and wish to drop out of the process, that is self evident. So then why do you contribute to this community of opinion.

I share Mr. Fritz' concerns with government indoctrination of children, but I must be one of Anon. from Reston's counter-examples. I went through public schools in the US during the last century and I suppose my parents were politically weak. But I'm convinced my elected leaders have been mostly bad and that their policies have frequently been unwise and have very often sucked. I'm tolerant of religions; I think that whatever goes on between someone and their deity, if any, should stay between them and that proselytizing is in appallingly bad taste. I'd go to war to defend my country in a heartbeat, and I believe our current wars have nothing whatsoever to do with that. My girlfriend is a product of similar circumstances but not as cynical as I am. I'll ask her about the cheering thing.

propaganda!

It is always the intention to subvert and overthrow the individual sovereign of a nation or tribe by those who wish to dominate and plunder that that they have. Whether cheap labor or natural resources. Remove barter, place under tribute = slavery. The 60's and 70's, saw the greatest offence of moral decline. Saw the great increase of STD's. Children becoming the prey, for what. So they could make fun of decency and natural affection. Reprobate minds in high places brought about by bleeding heart Nadiyb liberals elected to office. Their temple of democracy and socialism promoting Qadesh behavior.

The free thinking experimental education system of the '60s and '70s is what led rise to the student protests and campus riots of that period. Unfortuantely it was never followed up with a true change in governent that was desperately required. What happened? Ronald Reagen, 'hip to be square' the all out attack on the middle class; labour unions and the corporationism of the world. Now, how are we going to get out of this mess? We have allowed ourselves to become so hopelessly dependent on the institutions that are sucking the life out of the very idea of freedom, that the promotion of any idea to the contrary of their ideals leads to poverty and homelessness.

Americans are dumber than ever. Educational institutions have become more a tool for 'socialization' rather than instilling in children self-determination, responsibility, civics, economics, law. Give students something real to learn that will give them skills and knowledge and they prosper; give them 'socialized' courses in demanding government solutions, government hand-outs, and government worship and you raise a few obedient drones and a lot of uneducated kids that have nothing but disdain for their hypocritical 'leaders.' The kids of the 60's and 70's 'counter-culture' was a response to government hypocrisy and forced military conscription -- they knew their friends were coming back in body bags, that is for sure, and that the government was lying to them. Whatever knowledge they did have about how things REALLY were, was NOT taught to them in school (and still isn't, unless politically beneficial for government employees at the time).

For all the reasons above, public education just does not work.

The last line in the quote is accurate and so true.

Should we not educate these intolerant religious to tolerate reason? Wouldn't it be pleasant for everyone to enjoy the solution of 4, for the equation of 2+2?

Sillik, are you suggesting indoctrination as is opposed to education. Theocratic socialist do NOT tolerate reason. Once liberated from socialism's theocratic mental illness, they may begin to enjoy the solution of 4, for the equation of 2 + 2.