[libertyminded]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
damnrad

Then why do educational systems in the rest of the world turn out a better product, even though they also feature mandatory attendance at school?

By the way, I would not tout the system of Japan, which induces horrible stress in students, while allowing little leeway for creative learning.
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I wasn't necessarily touting Japan as a success story as much as I was using it as an example where mass education is accomplished with much less money per student.

Educational systems in the rest of the industrialized world are not really better systems but the juxtaposition of most other industrialized countries lends them greater exposure to other cultures and countries. Also most other industrialized nations do things like start teaching a forign language as soon as kids enter school as well as things other that we view as superfolous in America.

I don't point to other countries forced education systems as a bright and shinning light but rather my point is that foced education at all is a tool of social control. The ideal would be like things were in early America where people were largely self educated and learning was it's own reward. I can already hear the groans of those that say it's not possible in today's world, but it's not possible only because no one's willing to pull the breaks on this freight train of ignorance we are barraling along in.

The Government is in the business of meading out tiny bits of information, but is inevitably interested in keeping the people in the dark on what's really going on. If everyone in this country were well educated and self reliant the current design of our economy would fall apart. Politicians could no longer get away with blowing the sweat and toil of the nation on pork and sweetheart contracts. They couldn't get away with constantly taking away our liberties bit by bit.

Indeed the last thing the government wants is an country full of people that know what's going on and how to change it.