Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Much Ado . . .?

Now that the Obama mini-controversy has come and gone, I wonder how many people will think it was all much ado about nothing? Does it occur to anyone that the blown-out of proportion hubbub was in fact "indoctrinating" kids? With the national drop-out rate at about 32%, does it hurt to encourage kids to stay in school? If kids feel important because the President of the United States talks to them, is that bad? I've been bewildered about this from the beginning. Sharing isn't communism. Expressing concern that kids work hard and accept responsibility for their success isn't political. I would almost guarantee that if George Bush had talked to the kids, used wrong words and incomplete sentences and gibberish metaphors, these same people would have praised him for his efforts. Go figure.

5 comments:

Jennifer said...

Interesting comment because today I read MSN and the first Presidents to the Kids came from Reagan, then Bush. Bush actually spoke to the kids twice, first as an elective, then as President. I read Obama's speech and all I can say is "how does it hurt? " Saying to a kid, or an adult, you can make it. You matter! OK. So, if you aren't one of the .5% of America's "chosen"...so what. Work hard. You can do it.

I say this with real conviction. My mother picked cotton and had an 8th grade education. Her grandaughter, my daughter, was accepted to Harvard, Wellsley and Wesleyan University and wait- listed at Swarthmore. This is testimony to "hard work pays off."

America is one of the last countries I know of that the class system isnot RULING. So, The President choses to talk to our kids? Fantastic! I wish he had talked to me when I was waining...

Cindy said...

I agree with you!

Sarah in Disturbia said...

This is so disturbing. There is so much I disagree with that I don't even know where to start. You have been completely snowed. Koolaid. Completely. Obama does NOT believe in what you are saying right now or what he said in his speech. His policies do NOT promote hard work and responsibility. Hard work DOES pay off. Obama's policies do not promote hard work! Socialism does not promote hard work; it discourages it.

Connie Dooley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Connie Dooley said...

I really can't say any more about this topic except that the absolute best perspective I have read about this is from Patti Digh at 37 Days. Her level-headed perspective soars when others get bogged down with emotion.