To the editor:

The biggest enemy of our democratic republic is not the arrogance of wealthy socialists who would overthrow our way of life, but the ignorance of the average American taxpayer. For the last several generations, our educational system has dismally failed to provide our young people with a practical education. As a result, many people have no idea how to cope in today’s environment.

I have read that many high school graduates in some areas of our country cannot even read very well. A large part of our voter base doesn’t understand the basic concepts of our government, our economy or our system of taxation. I would wager that many people under the age of 30 don’t know how to buy a house, or a car; how basic interest works or the dangers of getting “upside down” on a major purchase or overextended on debt.

In fact, as I look around at what so many people don’t seem to know, it concerns me that our young people are being fed massive amounts of misinformation by both our school system and mass media. 

For example, why isn’t it generally known that unrestricted government spending causes inflation? Why isn’t it known that the government gives us nothing; they either take money from other taxpayers and redistribute it or mortgage our children and grandchildren’s lives. Why doesn’t our massive national debt concern everyone? And, why don’t we know that there is little we can do about climate control until we can get other countries like China, India, etc. on board to approach the problem on a concerted effort and/or until we get the proper technology and up to date electrical grid to support wide-spread usage of green energy sources?

Where are the real experts, MDs, psychiatrists and licensed phycologists when it comes to making decisions on gender changes? Why are we allowing educators, who have little education or knowledge regarding this subject to influence our youth on a tremendously important decision that will affect their entire lives?

We live in an upside down world.

My wife and I have five children. They are all grown with children and sometimes grandchildren of their own. If I had the decision of whether to send my children to college in today’s world, however, I would think about it very carefully. It might be better to enroll them in a number of Community College or Vo-Tech level courses that would give them a practical education that would prepare them for life than to waste our money sending them to a traditional four-year university that seems to be teaching our young people questionable things that may, in the long run, be more destructive than positive.

Don McCullough

Manhattan