The most erroneous assumption is to the effect that the aim of public education is to fill the young of the species with knowledge and awaken their intelligence, and so make them fit to discharge the duties of citizenship in an enlightened and independent manner. Nothing could be further from the truth. The aim of public education is not to spread enlightenment at all; it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality. That is its aim in the United States, whatever the pretensions of politicians, pedagogues and other such mountebanks, and that is its aim everywhere else.

― H.L. Mencken

Tagged: public education

Posted on July 31, 2012

(via m-angojam)

Tagged: inspirational

Posted on July 31, 2012 via Insomniatic Thoughts; with 15,636 notes

Source: insomniaticthoughts

Robert Reich: The Terrible Economy and the Anti-Election of 2012

robertreich:

The worst economy since the Great Depression and you might think at least one of the candidates would come up with a few big ideas for how to get us out of it.

But you’d be wrong. Neither candidate wants to take any chances by offering any large, serious proposals. Both are banking instead on…

Posted on July 31, 2012 via Robert Reich with 173 notes

Jacksonville woman sentenced to 20 years in prison in 'Stand Your Ground' controversy | jacksonville.com

Posted on May 14, 2012

Don't Just Pressure ALEC's Sponsors, Name and Shame ALEC Legislators | The Nation

Posted on April 16, 2012

Trafficking in Britain: 'For five months I asked when I would get a job, but all I did was clean their home' | UK news | The Observer

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HW Wilson: Search Results

Posted on September 16, 2011

Man Dies From Toothache, Couldn't Afford Meds

cognitivedissonance:

A 24-year-old Cincinnati father died from a tooth infection this week because he couldn’t afford his medication, offering a sobering reminder of the importance of oral health and the number of people without access to dental or health care.

According to NBC affiliate WLWT, Kyle Willis’ wisdom tooth started hurting two weeks ago. When dentists told him it needed to be pulled, he decided to forgo the procedure, because he was unemployed and had no health insurance.

When his face started swelling and his head began to ache, Willis went to the emergency room, where he received prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications. Willis couldn’t afford both, so he chose the pain medications.

The tooth infection spread, causing his brain to swell. He died Tuesday.

Before anyone criticizes this man for choosing pain medication over antibiotics (as I’ve seen some people do), let’s think about two things:

If you were in severe pain, and probably not thinking clearly, what would you do?

Why should we live in a society where this is a choice someone must make?

How is this just? Health care is not a luxury, nor should dental care be a luxury. People do not deserve to die because they cannot afford an antibiotic prescription.