Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Owlet

(1,248 posts)
37. My background is in education
Tue Dec 13, 2011, 08:32 AM
Dec 2011

Taught for 8 years in the '60's, and became active in the then new teachers' association's interest in collective bargaining (or as some then insisted on calling it: "professional negotiation&quot . I joined the staff of the State Association and was a field rep for 20 years before taking on the job of computerizing our efforts in the early 80's.

I believed when I started so many years ago that the purpose of public education was to produce an informed citizenry who would then make political choices for the good of the country. Among other subjects I taught 9th grade Civics - a course I doubt you'll find in many schools today.

It has become apparent to me that those in charge of public education today have an entirely different goal. No longer is it the purpose of public education to produce an enlightened citizenry. Now the phrase I hear most often is something like: schools should "train the future workforce" in order to be "able to compete globally."

Sad to say, I don't think today's citizenry is particularly well-informed. I rather suspect that this condition has been created, and continues to be reinforced, deliberately by those whose interests are best served by an ignorant populace.

What led you to socialism? [View all] white_wolf Dec 2011 OP
Initially, it was the spirit of New Testament Christianity: freshwest Dec 2011 #1
This is an interesting response - TBF Dec 2011 #17
I became unchurched because of the righties, and fundies of all persuasions. freshwest Dec 2011 #18
I think that "unchurching" may happen with many folks - TBF Dec 2011 #22
Religion is odd. PETRUS Dec 2011 #32
"A profit is essentially a function of inequality" socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #33
I live in a commie area. Don't tell anyone... freshwest Dec 2011 #34
The righties want to nuke everyone slightly different from them. white_wolf Dec 2011 #35
I'm with you on that angle of why I am here. jwirr Dec 2011 #26
Socialized medicine saved my life OswegoAtheist Dec 2011 #2
I've been through a lot of medical emergencies. Lunacee2012 Dec 2011 #12
In true Capitalist form... OswegoAtheist Dec 2011 #14
Education reform. Starry Messenger Dec 2011 #3
The privatization of schools is terrible. white_wolf Dec 2011 #4
I agree totally with your analysis. They also want to eliminate unions because they are conscious of freshwest Dec 2011 #20
Your theory is totally correct. Starry Messenger Dec 2011 #23
Nothing fancy.... daleanime Dec 2011 #5
Good post. For me its experiences overseas and talking to people from overseas. napoleon_in_rags Dec 2011 #6
I first read Marx in the Duct Tape Dec 2011 #7
My parents were both Democratic Socialists, so I was brought up in a household where coalition_unwilling Dec 2011 #8
Real values in our own lives. Our work. OUR SOCIAL contract. patrice Dec 2011 #9
because I think everyone should move in together. patrice Dec 2011 #10
Just thinking about how unfair life can sometimes be Lunacee2012 Dec 2011 #11
In a nutshell. GeorgeGist Dec 2011 #13
It was nearly a decade for me, tavalon Dec 2011 #15
WW, I'm from a union family TBF Dec 2011 #16
Nothing led me to 'Socialism'. RC Dec 2011 #19
Well I wasn't a red diaper baby, but it was pink... socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #21
I did some serious thinking from my science/biology perspective kestrel91316 Dec 2011 #24
I have been called a socialist since working for McGovern. Finally decided that I really do want to jwirr Dec 2011 #25
I grew up in a Big Labor household. Odin2005 Dec 2011 #27
Odd path, but I came to be a socialist through membership in the Libertarian Party toddaa Dec 2011 #28
As a Trot, I'm not real fond of bureaucracy in general socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #31
I'm King Asshole ... Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #44
I read some Socialist literature, and it just made so much obvious sense. mistertrickster Dec 2011 #29
Good question. PETRUS Dec 2011 #30
I grew up poor. joshcryer Dec 2011 #36
I grew up fairly wealthy ... Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #41
I had illusions that if you worked really hard you'd become rich... joshcryer Dec 2011 #42
File sharing! Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #46
My background is in education Owlet Dec 2011 #37
Ignorant Populace - TBF Dec 2011 #38
Since the 60s... PETRUS Dec 2011 #39
Being human. Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #40
Great answer :) nt TBF Dec 2011 #43
I have my moments sometimes. :) Fantastic Anarchist Dec 2011 #45
First, by way of the RRC - Hell Hath No Fury Jan 2012 #47
Love your last line - TBF Jan 2012 #48
I thought it was because I was smart and insightful at a young age. Sisaruus Jan 2012 #49
Nothing led me to Socialism, and I hope not everyone here is a pure Socialist emaxwell1313 Jan 2012 #50
You'll find a range of view here. PETRUS Jan 2012 #51
Welcome to DU and Socialist Progressives - TBF Jan 2012 #52
Who is the government? socialist_n_TN Jan 2012 #53
That is true emaxwell1313 Jan 2012 #54
The development of socialism is part of the historical process. Starry Messenger Jan 2012 #55
I wouldnt have said that emaxwell1313 Jan 2012 #56
That's a lot of thoughts. Starry Messenger Jan 2012 #57
Are you referring to the poll from 2009 ? emaxwell1313 Jan 2012 #58
The relevent thread can be found here: Starry Messenger Jan 2012 #59
It is because... emaxwell1313 Jan 2012 #60
You'll be relieved to know then, that isn't what Socialism is at all. Starry Messenger Jan 2012 #61
Starry's point came immediately to mind when I read your post PETRUS Jan 2012 #62
asshole DLC and Third Way Democrats. provis99 Jan 2012 #63
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Socialist Progressives»What led you to socialism...»Reply #37