Americans once held fast to the belief that education and the pursuit of knowledge were cornerstones of personal, civic and societal achievement. For many, this conviction was shaped by the promise that higher education, good grades, and a diploma would unlock doors to opportunity and an eventual level of prosperity. In the not-so-distant past, applying for a job was a straightforward process, unencumbered by today’s impersonal algorithms, intrusive data collection, “no-reply” feedback, obvious gender preferences that dismiss the utility of men, ageism, automated screenings and D.E.I. mandates (historically linked to Communism). In fact, there was even a bit of mutual loyalty. This system worked because future earnings could reasonably be expected to offset the debt incurred in the pursuit of knowledge. Reality, however, has shifted…not by our design, but by deliberate reengineering.
Universities, once esteemed as centers of intellectual refinement and moral development, marketed themselves as gateways to success but have left many graduates financially destitute. A degree once symbolized cultivated intellect and adaptability. It demonstrated an individual’s capacity to write, learn, research, and articulate arguments while adhering to the principles of self-discipline and commitment. These qualities, akin to the ideals of a Classical Education, prepared graduates to contribute meaningfully across varied endeavors, at a time when employers invested in training their staff.
Today, however, this purpose has been overshadowed by agendas that prioritize marketing over substance, gender over merit and ability, age over wisdom…all under the ruse of advancing an intriguing blend of Fascist-Socialist ideals. These ideals are often championed by those who are neither qualified nor equipped to lead but serve as convenient social stock-jobbers for a system that thrives on blind conformity and superficiality.
The anger surrounding President Biden’s proposal to forgive student loan debt is, to some extent, understandable. Critics argue that federal loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden on taxpayers. Americans, as the saying goes, “vote with their wallets,” (sad but true) and such reactions are predictable. Yet these same critics conveniently skate past dubious government expenditures: monthly spending accounts and jobs for illegal aliens, subsidies for foreign wars, and stabilization efforts for regimes openly hostile to American interests. These contradictions become even clearer when taxpayer dollars are used to establish settlements for illegal aliens while veterans, the elderly, and children freeze and die on the streets. Such disparities highlight priorities that strain the very people funding these decisions and strip away at the fabric that once defined the American ethos.
Why are folks so willing to forgive reckless government spending yet so intolerable towards extending compassion to fellow citizens misled by a system designed to exploit their aspirations? This inconsistency points to a larger issue: the growing merger of corporate and state power.
The modern job market reflects this troubling reality. Millions of college-educated Americans, whose genuine work ethic is evident in their willingness to apply for jobs “seemingly” beneath them just to pay the bills, face rejection not because of a lack of dependability, discipline and brainpower but because they have a college degree. Meanwhile, Congress readily allocates billions to bail out corporations deemed “too big to fail,” neglecting those who sought self-improvement through education. The result? A nation bitterly divided, with citizens pitted against one another instead of questioning the broader system that perpetuates these injustices.
Cognitive dissonance runs rampant in America. In a country where two-thirds of children are functionally illiterate, historical knowledge, cultural heritage and traditions rapidly fading, and over half of adults cannot name the three branches of government, such divisions are unsurprising. Why not take care of our own and show compassion for those who pursued higher education in good faith? These individuals aspired to something greater: knowledge, virtue, and skills that once transcended the cold metrics of modern markets. Instead, they’ve been saddled with crushing debt, broken promises, and a society that prizes hollow virtue signaling over genuine virtue.
The powerful rely on ignorance and division to maintain control. An informed and united (along with armed) citizenry is their greatest fear. The question we face is simple: will we continue to fight among ourselves, or will we finally confront the systemic problems perpetuating this cycle of exploitation and injustice to OUR people?
(While this was written, the United States sent billions of more dollars to Ukraine, will spend more on rebuilding a Syrian government and still allow the illegal aliens to live comfortably).
Joshua Card