The term "village idiot" first appeared in early 20th century literature. Who would have ever guessed that in 2025 the occupant of the White House is our national village idiot. No wonder education is on the chopping block.
H. L. Mencken: “As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
When one contemplates the sorry state of American public education today, it seems reasonable to ask why billions of $$$ should continue to be lavished on the Department of Education. What good is it doing?
Grants could be administered by a small bureau of attorneys, accountants, and administrators: a couple or three hundred people. Civil liberties issues could be handled by the Justice Department. And if you think that pouring billions more $$$ down the DoE rathole will improve public education in this country—you need to quit smoking that crack!
The justice department, needless to say, is currently overwhelmed by civil liberties issues, and I wouldn’t trust it to handle them well under this administration. The grants are specific to elementary, secondary, postsecondary and adult education. You need people who are knowledgeable about specific needs related to education. Hence a department for education that will also act as a liaison with congress. The education department is also active in programs encouraging students interested in science and engineering, something I can’t see this administration doing.
As for wasting money, it should be obvious by now that the “waste, fraud and abuse” in most government programs is actually very slight. Observe how government cutbacks and mass firings have caused government services to collapse or function badly. We have lost too many skilled, dedicated government workers that our taxes paid for. Our scientists and health researchers are taking jobs in other countries. But I’m guessing you don’t care about our standing in science.
Honestly, what makes you think that the Department of Education contains people who are truly knowledgeable about specific needs related to education. Surely, the department’s track record argues against that claim. It’s been around since Jimmy Carter was president, and can it be fairly claimed that American public education is better today than it was then?
The average product of American public education is an appallingly ignorant twentysomething who has read noting worth reading and very likely has read nothing at all; who cannot give a coherent thumbnail account of this country’s history, even chronologically; and who is functionally illiterate and innumerate.
I would not go so far as to say that the Department of Education has engineered this debacle—but what has it done to mitigate its parlous effects? Nothing much, as far as I can see. And that’s not surprising. It’s a bureaucracy whose basic mission statement involves self-preservation and the accumulation of more and more power. That, in fact, is what the American people are paying for. And we’re not getting value for money.
I have a video and a photo of Virginia Guiffre's evidence to authorities of Jeff Epstein's Little Black Book of contacts with their names and phone numbers, some of which were redacted. Trump has almost a dozen numbers listed beneath his name. This was from an online seminar by the NCOSE - the National Center for Sexual Exploitation in Washington DC.
If I were a betting woman, I'd give odds the orange man is on that list. And as for "committing suicide," ah..... I don't think so. Then, too, having McMahon in charge of the department of education is a joke. But dismantling that department isn't. Again, I say, he is carving away at what does make america great and distinct...bit by bit. education, finance, community, foreign relations, the law, our empathy, compassion, bit by bit, we are being gnawed at and if we are not careful, there will be nothing left. IMHO, your style has becoming looser and more fluid. I love it all.
Such a funny drawing from 1994!
Not to mention prescient and timely. I always recall how Drumpf has said, more than once, that he loves the uneducated. Geeee... I wonder why? 🙃
Thank you!
Why does the DOJ not want Gashlaine Maxwell released from prison?
Right.
The term "village idiot" first appeared in early 20th century literature. Who would have ever guessed that in 2025 the occupant of the White House is our national village idiot. No wonder education is on the chopping block.
H. L. Mencken: “As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
That day is here.
Liz, what a brilliant addition and such a sad reality. Thanks for your enlightening comment.
Michael, I’ve had that quote on a refrigerator magnet since November 2016. I see it every day, and every day I feel the weight of it.
I am now listening to the Sould of America by Jon Meacham. So timely.
Soul of America!
Maybe “Sold” of America is what your subconscious meant.
When one contemplates the sorry state of American public education today, it seems reasonable to ask why billions of $$$ should continue to be lavished on the Department of Education. What good is it doing?
It handles grants and civil liberties issues, among other things. It should be funded more, not less.
Grants could be administered by a small bureau of attorneys, accountants, and administrators: a couple or three hundred people. Civil liberties issues could be handled by the Justice Department. And if you think that pouring billions more $$$ down the DoE rathole will improve public education in this country—you need to quit smoking that crack!
The justice department, needless to say, is currently overwhelmed by civil liberties issues, and I wouldn’t trust it to handle them well under this administration. The grants are specific to elementary, secondary, postsecondary and adult education. You need people who are knowledgeable about specific needs related to education. Hence a department for education that will also act as a liaison with congress. The education department is also active in programs encouraging students interested in science and engineering, something I can’t see this administration doing.
As for wasting money, it should be obvious by now that the “waste, fraud and abuse” in most government programs is actually very slight. Observe how government cutbacks and mass firings have caused government services to collapse or function badly. We have lost too many skilled, dedicated government workers that our taxes paid for. Our scientists and health researchers are taking jobs in other countries. But I’m guessing you don’t care about our standing in science.
Honestly, what makes you think that the Department of Education contains people who are truly knowledgeable about specific needs related to education. Surely, the department’s track record argues against that claim. It’s been around since Jimmy Carter was president, and can it be fairly claimed that American public education is better today than it was then?
The average product of American public education is an appallingly ignorant twentysomething who has read noting worth reading and very likely has read nothing at all; who cannot give a coherent thumbnail account of this country’s history, even chronologically; and who is functionally illiterate and innumerate.
I would not go so far as to say that the Department of Education has engineered this debacle—but what has it done to mitigate its parlous effects? Nothing much, as far as I can see. And that’s not surprising. It’s a bureaucracy whose basic mission statement involves self-preservation and the accumulation of more and more power. That, in fact, is what the American people are paying for. And we’re not getting value for money.
He is on it, or he would have had it released immediately upon swearing in as Pres.
Liza, can you please just take a time out and enjoy yourself in Maine? Relax and refuel. All the horrors will still be here when you return, sadly.
Thank you, I will try.
I have a video and a photo of Virginia Guiffre's evidence to authorities of Jeff Epstein's Little Black Book of contacts with their names and phone numbers, some of which were redacted. Trump has almost a dozen numbers listed beneath his name. This was from an online seminar by the NCOSE - the National Center for Sexual Exploitation in Washington DC.
If I were a betting woman, I'd give odds the orange man is on that list. And as for "committing suicide," ah..... I don't think so. Then, too, having McMahon in charge of the department of education is a joke. But dismantling that department isn't. Again, I say, he is carving away at what does make america great and distinct...bit by bit. education, finance, community, foreign relations, the law, our empathy, compassion, bit by bit, we are being gnawed at and if we are not careful, there will be nothing left. IMHO, your style has becoming looser and more fluid. I love it all.