Politicians and public schools

So, it looks like our politicians don't believe in the schools system that they are responsible for providing us. (see this link) Some conspiracy theories believe that our school system is purposely getting worse, and that the elite want to dumb Americans down. Then they can have a dumb, unquestioning workforce, and they can stay at the top. But even if this isn't intentional, why is it so? Is education just not that important, or do politicians not concern themselves with it, because they can afford alternatives? And regardless of all of this what is the solution?

As Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation."

Of course, if the majority of our good education is only going to those who can afford it, then that makes a statement like this null and void. Doesn't it?

Does this even matter?

The truth about schools and lottery money

So, we all know, at least here in San Antonio, that schools are laying off teachers. And I thought, wait a minute, what about all of that money the schools are suppose to be getting from the state lotteries? I asked my dad, the genius and he set me straight. So I looked into, and found out very little ends up going to the schools. And what does go to them only replaces what they would have gotten anyway from taxes, so that the taxes go somewhere else. In other words, education is still a low priority and society is obviously paying the price. At least a few of these individuals who get short changed by the school system have a chance at the lottery some day, right? Here's some details form CBS news, if you're interested. Is The Lottery Shortchanging Schools?

Does this matter?