Sign of failure of nation's education system

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” Are we observing the failure of our educational system?

After over a year of being exposed to Donald Trump’s rants and discovering his true background, how can so many people say that they will be voting for him? Has our educational system failed to teach us how to make rational judgments?

When I was in school, a thorough understanding of the Constitution was required for graduation from grammar school and again in high school. It was an integral part of history classes and was the subject of a rigorous exam at each level.

We learned of the separation of powers: legislative, executive, and judicial. We learned what a president can, and cannot, do.

Many of Donald Trump’s pronouncements are in direct conflict with the restrictions of presidential power laid out in the Constitution. Other statements by Mr. Trump ignore the basic rights of citizens, which our Constitution protects.

Why do so many voters seem to be ignorant of our Constitution? A basic education, including reading, writing, math, science, and history, should prepare one to make reasonable judgments, not only in one’s own life but also as a citizen. How have we fallen so short?

A well-rounded education should include an understanding of religions and cultures which are different from our own. We live in an ever-shrinking world, which demands that we are both able to understand and empathize with other human beings, who are not like ourselves. Why is this lesson not being taught?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”

Donald Trump has said, “I love the poorly educated.”

This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Sign of failure of nation's education system."