Educator-in-Chief

It's nice having a smart, articulate guy in the White House. I've recently been doing some research on Thomas Jefferson, and was reminded of the high value he placed on learning, for its own sake and for its importance to democracy. TJ believed that an informed citizenry was necessary to oppose the "arbitrary" power of special interest groups (banks, businesses, political parties).

“Enlighten the people generally”, he said, “and tyranny and oppression of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.”

I think our new President has set about addressing a lot of pressing, and long-ignored, problems. He, like Jefferson, appreciates how important public education is to our country. Jefferson believed public education was important “to bring into action that mass of talent which lie buried in poverty in every country, for want of the means of development.”

Anyway, Obama appreciates the linkage between a vibrant economy, sound banking practices, widespread educational opportunities, and universal health care. Much of our press media is missing an opportunity to join in a meaningful dialogue on these issues, preferring to dwell on distractions (Rush Limbaugh's commentary, AIG bonuses that amount to a pittance of the bailout. etc.) or claim that Obama is "trying to do too much too soon".

I wish our TV pundits, reporters, and op-ed writers would listen to Obama when he makes the point that since so many important matters are interrelated they cannot be effectively addressed one-at-a-time.