We have previously discussed the rising anti-intellectualism in the GOP race from the rejection of basic science principles to the demonification of academics and higher education. Rick Santorum this week ramped up on the attacks on colleges and universities with a speech that seemed to call for voters to avoid supporting — or even attempting — college. Santorum appears to be proudly embracing the pledge of Will Rogers that “America is becoming so educated that ignorance will be a novelty. I will belong to the select few.”
Santorum explained to an enraptured audience in Naples, Florida how “the left” long ago took over universities to indoctrinate young people for the purpose of “holding and maintaining power.” It was all part of the plan of the liberal overlords, he suggested, and “we’ve lost our higher education, that was the first to go a long time ago.” Now, Obama is pushing college which Santorum portrays as a type of entry drug to liberalism:
“It’s no wonder President Obama wants every kid to go to college,” said the former Pennsylvania senator. “The indoctrination that occurs in American universities is one of the keys to the left holding and maintaining power in America. And it is indoctrination. If it was the other way around, the ACLU would be out there making sure that there wasn’t one penny of government dollars going to colleges and universities, right? . . . If they taught Judeo-Christian principles in those colleges and universities, they would be stripped of every dollar. If they teach radical secular ideology, they get all the government support that they can possibly give them. Because you know 62 percent of children who enter college with a faith conviction leave without it.”
Santorum, therefore, called on true Republicans to stop giving money to colleges:
“I’ll bet you there are people in this room who give money to colleges and universities who are undermining the very principles of our country every single day by indoctrinating kids with left-wing ideology. And you continue to give to these colleges and universities. Let me have a suggestion: Stop it.”
It was a truly Palinesque moment of attacking those who would challenge GOP positions with facts or history. Now the race to the bottom is complete with a call to just say no to education and to embrace doctrine as truth. Of course, this is not a new idea. Mao Zedong launched a Cultural Revolution based on the same notions:
Although the bourgeoisie has been overthrown, it is still trying to use the old ideas, culture, customs, and habits of the exploiting classes to corrupt the masses, capture their minds, and endeavour to stage a comeback. The proletariat must do just the opposite: It must meet head-on every challenge of the bourgeoisie in the ideological field and use the new ideas, culture, customs, and habits of the proletariat to change the mental outlook of the whole of society. At present, our objective is to struggle against and crush those persons in authority . . . and repudiate the reactionary bourgeois academic “authorities” and the ideology of the bourgeoisie and all other exploiting classes and to transform education, literature and art, and all other parts of the superstructure . . .”
Now this is not meant to accuse Santorum of plagiarism: you would only learn about the Cultural Revolution in those colleges that he wants us all to avoid. I can deal with the re-education camps, but I am a bit afraid of what Santorum will select as his Little Red [State] Book. If it is Sarah Palin’s America by Heart : Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag, I will be the first to turn in my colleagues hiding in the attic.
Source: CBS
I wonder how many poor but excellent students managed to break into the finest schools before 1955? If they did their numbers were tightly controlled by scholarships as I suspect they still are. That’s not to take away from those that have or will, just observing that it’s not the norm and won’t keep elite schools from being a method for the political and economic elites from perpetuating and fostering their dynasties. I’m not a ‘leave no two stones standing’ advocate when it comes to schools.
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Jill: “They believed what they were saying with all their heart. That’s why I can’t call all conservatives evil and hate them! ”
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Depends on how conservative, and to be harsh about it, the ‘good German’ defense was shot down some time ago. If everything they believe is wrong and destructive why let them of the hook because they’re sincere? If I were omnipotent (ala “It’s A Good Life” by Bixby) they would be the first ones on my list. The hypocrites and panderers you can always deal with, it’s those sincere ones that are the greatest danger. Example? Abortion rights. They’re so sincere they kill people. Yea, the truly sincere ones would top my list.
I would love to have a non-mainstream candidate that had a chance of winning to vote for. That’s not the way it is though. That’s particularly important this year because we have the choice of Obama (insert whatever pejoratives you like here) and a clown car being driven by candidates that all appear to be The Joker as portrayed by Heath Ledger; a character that would consider kidnapping the nation and driving that car off a cliff ala Thelma and Louise, (laughing maniacally all the way down) a good days work. Can’t do it. Can’t even consider it.
Of course these people are allowed to “join” the elite:
Bernanke, Clinton, Obama, …….make your own list.
They are amusing, and useful tools. They may climb, but are still not in the core club. Entrusted, but still can be busted. Not like the legacites.
The one who interests me most is Harriman’s old mistress, who gave the nod to Bill. What’s her name. Was it through Harriman she had her pull?
Jill,
“Although elites running things is nothing new, Hedges argues and I agree that the left has sold out the people. He says that leftist elites no longer work on behalf of the disposed because they have become an integral part of the elites. He argues and I agree, that this is different from earlier times in our nation when left wing intellectuals/activists actually confronted the powerful. He feels and I agree, that their collusion with the elites has created a vacuum of left wing policy, discussion and movement for justice. Our side has largely folded its tent. This has been a disaster.”
*****
I’m not sure which “left” has sold out the people. Who are the “leftist elites” of which Hedges speaks? Are they truly leftists or liberals or progressives? I believe there are still a number of true liberals and progressives who have not sold out. What about the individuals who write for The Nation? Democracy Now? What about economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman? What about Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren…Cornell West and Ben Jealous?
Let’s criticize the “liberals in name only” who we believe have sold out. Let’s get specific about who they are and not paint all members of the left with the same broad brush.
blouise, It is just a shame that a woman from the south side of Chicago that is descended from slaves could become first lady. These terrible elitists………… Car is in the shop so have been on the computer too much today. lol.
Blouise, Michele Obama didn’t even prep. She went to a public magnet school .
SwM,
“If you want to elect the true blue blood elite, vote for Romney.”
Sush … you’re messing up the talking points
Michele Obama was not invited to join the eating clubs at Princeton but my daughter’s classmate with mediocre grades and a very lengthy legacy was.
Bernanke taught himself calculus because he went to school in a small South Carolina town where it was not available. He got a perfect score in math and went to Harvard. If you want to elect the true blue blood elite, vote for Romney.
Jill and Mike S.
Thanks for going from sniping to full attack. Now we know where you stand but not much on why——-but after so many years it may be tough to repeat it all. How does one search for old stuff by a named poster?
Jill,
as for: “—-I’m working in a citizen movement for justice!”
Good luck. By the time you get anywhere (define it yourself), they’ll have you under surveillance. infiltrated, tapped, GPS’d, bombarded by psyops, besmirched by planted publications, doubted by the MSM……..the list is long.
The only way seems to be the unorganized way, and even that needs communication which is surveilled completely. Occupations, attending meetings and “mike-checks”, flash mobs……any other ideas.
The heroes we were taught in hisrory class have all fascistic writings.
And your “reds” were quickly eliminated. So is Chomsky a shill? No. He is my last hope. Who shall replace that truthsayer?
idealist707,
If you want to see the blogs I have written, type “Mike Spindell” into the search box on the upper right. You will see the “why” of my thinking. If you want to know my arguments re: voting for Obama I’m not sure how you could find them, but every critique you’ve made of the elites, I’ve made and more. My vote this year is more or less a holding strategy, until the gains of OWS can be expanded on and a good shot at changing the system can be made. My reasons are hardly simplistic, whether after reading them you agree or not. As to why I attack Jill, let me use your own words:
“Jill,
“as for: “—-I’m working in a citizen movement for justice!”
Good luck. By the time you get anywhere (define it yourself), they’ll have you under surveillance. infiltrated, tapped, GPS’d, bombarded by psyops, besmirched by planted publications, doubted by the MSM……..the list is long.”
You may think me alarmist but I think a Republican victory this year, capturing Congress in its’ wake, will end whatever semblances of freedom we have and will force upon us a Theocratic State, with a theocratic educational system. I see Obama’s election, with all the negatives, as buying us time.
As for Chomsky and Zinn for that matter, neither are shills. However, their analysis of the Movement of the 60’s (of which I was a part) is rife with sentimentality and their own need for self-justification. We of the “Movement” and I was part of the problem, were arrogant and stupid in our strategies. It led us directly to Nixon and he then destroyed most of what we fought for. I’m older and wiser now, but no less radical, the difference is that I’ve tried to learn from my mistakes and am honest about my own failures to see the way.
Yes this country is run by a corporate elite, but the saving grace is that it is not homogenous, or else our goose would be cooked. We can use those who are more moderate in their treatment of the people, by pushing them further to the left. Do you realize that today Nixon would be seen as a Republican Centrist? Part of real change is moving the discussion back further towards the left, where it was in the 30’s. This is not accomplished by missing the subtlety of difference and proclaiming in unison “They’re All The Same!”, when in fact though none of them are that good, some are much better as a temporary alternative leaving us space for a log term solution.
I see an analogy to 1968 today, only any of the alternatives to Obama are far worse than Nixon, in his most delusional state. It took the extreme, radical right
12 years to go from Nixon to Reagan and another 20 years to go from Reagan to the insanity of the Bush/Cheney crime family. Along the way they spent billions in propaganda. This is a long fight, which we can win by using our advantage of intelligence, but a movement must stay alive in order to win.
Lloyd Blankfein grew up in the projects and made into Harvard when there quotas were placed on jews. Being a legacy definitely gives one advantages but there are determined people that break through the barriers. Justice Sotomayor is another example of growing up poor and breaking into the ivy league.
Clinton made it into the elite through hard work and a high IQ so did Obama. Romney was born into the elite like Bush. Newt and Santorum did not come from the elite either.
People who use their acceptance of any religion as an excuse to stop learning or to be less curious about the mysteries of the world are simply using religion as an excuse for laziness.
Religion should open the mind for it is the point from which one jumps off into a relationship with the Almighty (whatever name one chooses to use).
I am always amused by those who think the words in the Bible are the sum total and all they need to know. The words in the Bible describe the experiences of others, the work others have done, the lessons others have learned. They did their work in their time for themselves … not for you. You don’t get a free ride based on their efforts. You must do the work for yourself.
Beware the false prophets.
To expand on Jill’s comments at a tangent “It’s not what you know but who you know”. An aspect of college life, especially at the most elite of schools, is the connections you make. The fraternity you get invited to join can set you up for life even if you can’t put a coherent sentence together. Combined with legacy admissions you have a built-in support network and a host of upcoming business and political connections that perpetuate your position and well-being through generations. You get invited to join Skull and Bones.
Without the contacts George Bush made outside of the classroom but at college he would have never been able to get support for his serially failed business’, let alone end up president. The dynastic 1% take care of their own and an elite college is just another vehicle for establishing/maintaining the support group to do so.
“The battle of Waterloo was won on the (playing) fields of Eton” is not a metaphor.
Jill:
“They believed what they were saying with all their heart. That’s why I can’t call all conservatives evil and hate them! ”
the rank and file of both conservatives and liberals are good people who have been sold a bill of goods by the elites. There are 3 parties in this country; democrats, republicans and elitocrats. The elitocrats are comprised of the elites from the republican and democrat parties. They work for their own agenda to the detriment of the people.
I bet your conservative friends wouldnt vote for that rat bastard again.
JILL
“….–They are aided in this task by people, left and right, who have all agreed with certain truly awful US policies,—-”
As to rights I see no difference between Obama and Bush. Obama has only extended timewise, extended with new laws, and extended Executive power to ignore laws.
So if he is a Democrat, then your elite theory seems to be plausible.
As I remember the “authoritarian” professor said that elites have no credo; power seeking is the only goal for them.
I’ll buy that.
what is wrong with withholding private funds from a university if you disagree with what they are teaching?
College is a quick route to a job now days but you can make more being a welder or electrician or machinist. I have seen articles saying welding and tool and die jobs cannot be filled. These are good, well paying jobs.
Too many people have been sold on the idea that a college education leads to a better financial life. And on top of that only about 25% of people who go get a degree. The 75% who do not graduate are wasting their time and the tax payers money. We should have another track for people who would do well being welders, electricians, machinists and other skilled craftsmen.
We need to quit denigrating these jobs, a skilled welder is worth his weight in gold and machining has gone into the space age with cad cam and plasma and 3 dimensional machine tools. I know a kid who can weld and is attending a college for a degree in machining, he will one day own a business and put a bunch of people to work. He could give a frog hair about David Hume or Hobbs’s theory of government.
You dont need a college education to master a skill.
“Most of these students expect to earn a bachelor’s degree. Yet the sad truth is that six years from now, in 2015, the data suggest that barely half will have an earned a degree–and, out of the vast pool of students who do not attend elite institutions, only four in 10 will do so.”
http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/07/college-graduation-rate-opinions-colleges-09-aei.html
There is a fundamental problem caused by two conflicting views of college:
One is that it is a place to learn about yourself and the world, to understand what has come before you. That is, to become a better person.
The other view is that it is a place to get your ticket punched in order to get a better job, or maybe any job at all – irrespective of whether you learn anything or not.
There is a third, lesser view of college, that used to be advocated for women: a place to hang out and find an upwardly mobile husband candidate, with good earning potential and “good breeding.”
I was having a discussion with one of these types of people & he very seriously told me “American won’t make progress until we put Jesus above Science!”.
Yes, Little Ricky and Friends want us stupid because they believe that will ensure the rapture.
MIKE
Why do you attack Jill….instead of attacking what she says.
Do you think Obama has protected the Constitution?
I think the contrary, and I’m a supporter of anti-authoritarian activities for many years. Which the scars attest to. Maybe that’s why I risk irritating someone here who stands in high affection and repute—-because I don’t agree with folks who attack people with attributed faults, instead of the argument they propose.