Saturday, March 23, 2002
By Kyle Williams© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
One of the biggest issues, which is always on the political front burner, is education. If you ever watch the news, it is impossible to escape from the issue. Year after year, the debates rage on, legislation complicates it, and politicians love it.
If you're part of a program or initiative, or co-sponsor a bill that looks as if it is working hard to help children, you'll be looked at as a good person. Because it comes across as a "good thing" when adults help those "who can't help themselves."
In addition, in the ever-hectic political world, there only has to appear to be some caring thought behind an initiative for it to look acceptable. Appearance is everything.
Congress, every year, complicates the system. The truth is most of the things done do not help at all. The only ones gaining something here are the politicians who support these "caring" initiatives. They get re-elected, their buddies pat them on the back and they get another paycheck.
Keep in mind, though, they always say it's "for the young people." How can anyone vote against the children?
In the society we live in, people tell kids that they're not smart enough and that they will understand when they're older. So, the world tells me to be silent; that I should be seen rather than heard.
In the Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform Bill, for example, there is a provision that would prohibit anyone 17 or under from donating a dime to a political campaign. Congress to children: Be quiet.
I'll be the first to testify that the majority of people out to help children are not helping at all. In fact, they're messing up the whole system. The people who lose in all this are the children.
It would be irresponsible and a lie to make a blanket statement about those involved by saying they are all out for personal gain. However, many are doing just that.
Secondly, I must say, however, that not all people are out to rip off my generation. It's people like my parents who have taught me themselves, citizens who work hard when participating in the local school system, and those who work for real education.
It is sad to say that most people do not have a genuine and pure care for young people. The fact is, the young generation and the kids still in school are being used. Instead of reforming or abolishing the inept education system, many are out to further their personal or political life.
Relatively speaking, I realize the current federal education system hasn't been in place very long, but it definitely has been in place long enough to create an effective system. In addition, with the billions of dollars that flow through the education system, it should at least be acceptable.
In Washington D.C., money is pouring into that school system – to the tune of approximately $10,000 per pupil, per year. However, even with that, it is not an effective system – far from it.
Instead of reducing federal control and expanding local management abilities, Congress has created a monster. With a federally centralized system and department, the Department of Education is in total chaos.
The education bureaucrats in Washington care more about creating a dumbed-down society in order to create a more submissive nation, rather than creating a learning atmosphere and producing independent thinkers.
The way politicians are using young people to advance their political careers has seemed to go unnoticed. So, we, the people, must realize that the goal of our government officials is not to create an education system that works.
While the young people – the future of this nation – are being ripped off, our "representatives," on the Hill are furthering their political agenda.
Kyle Williams is 13 years old, home-schooled and lives in a rural community in America's heartland. His column title, "VERITAS," is Latin for "truth." He particularly enjoys following current news events – and writing about them – and is extremely interested in politics. Kyle believes he may one day have a career in journalism. For now, he offers his unique perspective to the readers of WorldNetDaily.
