I agree with Walter on this basic point, and I think it's obvious who's to blame: the media and the public schools.
Who else could it be?
I disagree.
It is not the MSM, it is not the schools.
Who is to blame?
US.
The MSM and the schools can trot out lies, but we have a choice about verifying them and accepting or rejecting what they say. So do our children.
You think they blindly swallow what is taught at school?
Think again.
Have you ever tried to 'teach' your child about some of the facts of life?
They don't believe anything an adult says.
If every American made the choice to discriminate and verify the various sources of information, the current Dem leadership would sink.
I would support your argument on the basis that many accept the MSM as a truthful basis for news of the world.
Until you are confronted with evidence to the contrary, you tend to stay that way (inertia)
Most Freepers distrust the MSM and trust anonymous sources over the internet.
The 'best' Freepers gather several sources, attempt to attain confirmation, and still realize they may still not have all the information, all the facts.
Those who follow the first good sounding rumor are just as much to blame as those who blindly follow the MSM.
Has education gone downhill?
Yes, and as you imply, it makes a difference in your gullibility.
Who's to blame?
Teachers?
No. You and me.
We need to be involved in our schools and informed on exactly what they are teaching.
If it doesn't fit your values, advise the teacher and principal.
The discipline has gone out of many schools.
Discipline. Harsh sounding word.
Parents have a hard time with disciplining their children.
We had Dr. Spock (I'm sorry, I see the ears no matter what) tell us not to hit your children, not to hinder thier exploration.
To a child, the discipline is the love.
A child that has none will go to extreme lengths to force parents to discipline them, violating every rule of behavior in a fruitless attempt to get the parents to prove they love their child, that they care and they can be trusted because they stick to their word.
Punishment should only involve spanking at an early age. When they don't understand full sentences and argument. After they are speaking, the gig is up.
Punishment from then on is mental. And if you aren't up on your game, they beat you.
If we raise our children right, we can solve the problems you mentioned.
You are right. . .but in a word. . .we only have to blame Liberals. . .
Liberalism is the 'chicken, of every nasty egg', our country is now eating.
Clearly he was referring to the people in Louisiana.
Excellent statement!
Instead of a vineyard of educated and informed voters we have "target groups" rooted in political muck, fertilized by socialistic dung, climbing an emotional trellis towards historical oblivion. Hanging by tenuous precepts they are easily swayed by every prevailing wind, back and forth, swelling larger and growing ever weaker. When the fullness of the sun comes to bear on them they can only tear free and fall to the ground. With no enduring truth, redeeming virtue or just endurance they cannot yield nor perpetuate the fruit of liberty.
And brainwashed parents who don't take the time to see the schools and MSM for what they are: purveyors of leftist propaganda hell-bent on bringing America down.
Also, voting is voluntary in the USA. In most other countries, you are required to vote by law. That your choices usually stink is a not exclusive to the US either.
"I agree with Walter on this basic point, and I think it's obvious who's to blame: the media and the public schools.
Who else could it be?"
Students get 50 minutes exposure to each teacher per day, 180 days a year. When they get home, they are spending 2 to 4 hours a day in front of the tube, and very little of it in front of the news.
I'd blame parents a little here.