In the fifth section of Barack Obama’s book, Obama continues to talk about the structure of America, but in context with the ideals of opportunity and the American Dream. Starting off with the origins of the United States, Obama gives a summary of how this country was based on merit. He tells the reader that a main part of how this lies within the education of citizens. He talks about President Jefferson, saying, “it was based on his belief in a meritocracy, rather than a hereditary aristocracy, that Jefferson would champion the creation of a (…) university that could educate and train talent” (151). Obama’s main focus is that a key part of opportunity lies within education. I agree with Obama’s view on this subject because of how education impacts people’s lives. A better education means a better life. Later, Obama talks about education in today’s world, and how America has woefully insufficient educational programs. Obama refers to the ignorance of society in a conversation with a teacher, saying, “There is the willingness of society to find a million excuses for why ‘these kids’ can’t learn (…) ‘When I hear that term, it drives me nuts,’ the teacher told me, ‘They’re not ‘these kids’. They’re ‘our’ kids” (163). Society isn’t taking education far enough into account today. In my opinion, the whole ‘American Dream’ rests in the ability to get a good education. A lot of people think that the government shouldn't raise taxes to fund education. Obama, however, believes that the nation is responsible, and ethically required, to help future generations through education. I agree with this idea, and I also think that it shows how Obama's ethics are oriented toward helping others, not just people who want to keep possible tax dollars to themselves.
Obama makes another point later on, and that it is faith in America. Obama starts off with the idea that faith plays a large role in politics. He talks about how people have an expectation of a person based on their religion, and how politicians play into the beliefs of their constituency. Obama quotes one republican candidate, Alan Keyes, as saying, “‘Christ would not vote for Barack Obama,’ Mr. Keyes proclaimed, ‘because Barack Obama has voted in a way that is inconceivable for Christ to have behaved’” (209). Politicians try to get votes by using faith and religion, and I believe that to bring religion into politics is inviting social division. Continuing, Obama furthers his argument, saying, “religious talk has given conservatives cover to ignore questions of public morality, like poverty or corporate malfeasance” (213). I think that this is true, that religion is swung around in politics. In the end, people are justifying their vote based on a candidate’s faith rather than their policies.
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Sorry, but I get really annoyed when people always say that the US education system is bad or something to that extent. Yes, many inner city schools are bad, and yes we are falling behind some countries in areas like engineering, but it is unfair to make huge generalizations. Look at our school. We have a great educational program and access to good resources. Most of the times people look at inner city schools and say that that is what all public schools are like. I am all for helping schools that are not as nice as ours, but don't say that all public schools are bad.
I agree with you on two points; one, that bringing religion into politics will attract social division and; two, that many people vote based on a candidate's faith rather than proposed policies. Faith should not have a major role in politics. As a result of faith, some people will feel obligated to vote for or against a cadidate only because he/she is associated with a certain faith. What conservatives do in respect to this issue, in my opinion, is not because they're trying to avoid questions of morality, but rather because it gets them votes. Politicians often do whatever is needed in order to win
I agree that education shapes a country and a person. Very few people in this world can get to the top without an education, since every employer in charge of a decent job makes sure to hire people only with college degrees. America as a whole is slipping in the education department, I agree. The point Obama made about how society tries to make endless excuses why a kid "cant learn" was a devastatingly true one. Any kid who cannot soak in information and use it as fast as others is deemed as someone with "a learning disorder". Those people do not have learning disorders, they just take a longer time or have a different way of learning. America has to stop making excuses and start acting.
When Obama says that it should be on the nations hands to get good educations rather then taxes I disagree. I think that funding for schools is a huge part of what makes them good, and that is why poorer communities in the US have less education. If the country stopped focusing on funding for sports or other unnecessary things and put education first, then maybe we would have less to complain about.
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