This pretty much sums up why they need us to be poor & stupid--

[Amy6627]

For if leisure and security were enjoyed by all alike, the great mass of human beings who are normally stupefied by poverty would become literate and would learn to think for themselves; and when once they had done this, they would sooner or later realize that the privileged minority had no function, and they would sweep it away. – Winston Smith “1984” --George Orwell

[sui generis]

1. "privileged minority" always disliked that term

because it's so subjective. Privileged minority could be parents who have twins, or people who are born with gray eyes. Also the idea that the majority knows best what everyone's "function" should be.

But critical thinking, if everyone was taught it or at least tried it would clear that up pretty quickly, I agree completely.

Reagan knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he murdered public education and took out highschool comparative politics, philosophy, civics, history, etc. as electives.

[yellowdogmi]

2. Not doubting you but

I was in High School during the Raygun era and still had to take government etc. Do you have a link about this? Just trying to stay informed and fear I may have missed something.

[sui generis]

4. I think there was a general push to get rid of anything

that didn't have to do with readin', ritin' or cipherin'.

It really did happen - sorry don't have a link handy. I don't know if one could really draw the direct conclusion that Reagan was laying the groundwork back then to the dumbifying of America, but the result was the same.

[Amy6627]

5. I don't have a link either, but Reagan was responsible for

for making the cost of higher education in California out of the question for the average Californian, while he was the governor.

[madmom]

3. I've always said it's all about the dumbing down of America.

[EC]

6. I remember back during the Helmsley trial a show where they

were interviewing the rich and privilaged and they were mad as hell that "middle class" America were now buying designer clothes and things. They were mad that those things were for the ones such as themselves that were above the rest and not for everyone else. They were really upset that designers would even sell to the middle class, making them seem "average" instead of "better".