Education and Our Parents

Our earliest exposures to politics and government are school and our parents.  While they may not decide our political leanings, they are certainly a great influence.

I am not satisfied with the way our schools teach political topics.  I realize that the subject is complex, sensitive, and not usually appropriate for young children, but there needs to be change.  I will begin with how my schooling bred a disdain and disinterest in politics:

Firstly, the Pledge of Allegiance.  I can't think of many other nations who require their students to each day recite anything comparable to it.  People in the UK have told me how it sounds slightly scary and borders on indoctrination.  Frankly, I can't argue with them.  After having to recite it each weekday for years and years, it became a chore and a labor.  It isn't required by law, only encouraged, and there is no legal consequence for refusing to recite it.  So why then did I stop saying the words starting in High School?

I've never intended to defect to some other country outside the U.S., and I consider myself an American who wishes to uphold the values and laws of America.  Yet I am tired of reciting the pledge of allegiance.  Does one stop loving America if they stop reciting the pledge?  Isn't once enough?  How about 500 times?  I can recall a substitute teacher, a retired military instructor, who was appalled and disappointed at my geometry class' lack of enthusiasm during the pledge in sophomore year.  He came from a background that is incredibly devoted to all things ritual concerning America.  However, I had not lost any allegiance to my flag or country, I was just tired of having to say it, and the repetition had made pledging allegiance undesirable.

As of now, there is no requirement to say the pledge, or even say "under God".  But there have been lengthy Supreme Court Cases surrounding the wording of the pledge and if it is right to compel someone to say it.  What should we do about this?  A child should not have to verbally prove they are pledged to their country every school day.  Is this country so paranoid that the youth don't adhere to the laws and values of the Constitution that they have to have the indoctrination drilled into their skulls thousands of times?  My suggestions to make it available on special occasions.  For instance: Assemblies, Fourth of July (even though not all schools are in session), military gatherings, government celebrations, and other less daily events.  Our children should know the pledge, understand the history behind it ("under God" wasn't included until 1953 by president Truman), and know the laws surrounding it.  No American should be thought un-American if they don't recite it every time someone suggests it.

My next point regards how the voting system is taught in schools.  Unless I was just not paying attention, I was led to believe we elected the President by voting for him, along with our laws and major decisions of the country.  It wasn't until High School, right before I could legally vote, that I was informed that I could only participate in the popular vote for the Presidency.  The elected representatives voted and actually mattered, technically my voice was only an indicator of what the populace wanted.  I understand the populace isn't completely in the know about who is the best candidate for the job, but surely our votes should count for more.  I never voted for us to go to war with Afghanistan and other areas of the Middle East, yet there we are.  No one ever told me until I was 15 that those with the deepest pockets get the most publicity on the campaign trail and end up as the main ballot features, yet this remains true today.  I was deeply disappointed when I figured that out.

There needs to be more honesty in the education department when it comes to teaching our youth about American politics.  We don't not have to give up our history, achievements and progress; but we should be forthcoming with the drawbacks of our system early on, and to more than just those in AP Government.

Lastly, our parents.  My parents have had changing views about their political stance and leanings.  Thankfully, I never felt pressured into believing one parent or the other concerning which political party was right.  I was encouraged to educate and inform myself, and that my views were important and worth something.

I have seen other families who do not ascribe to this philosophy.  Differences of opinion create strife, distrust, and disunity.  For all the talk of getting back to family values, I see much hate and warmongering going on towards opposing view points.  Look at the extreme conservative and liberal media pundits, talk show hosts, and news channels.  Rarely is there a call for tolerance, calm debate, and cooperation.  One side says the other doesn't know what they are talking about.  The other retorts with how the first side is evil and un-American.  Politics should be a discussion, not a war; and the change of mindset we should take towards these issues should start at home.

What are your thoughts and suggestions?  I will respond via video as much as I can.  Thanks for reading.