Poor Education Causes Election Problems!
January 2001

It all depends on what the definition of the word "is" is. Bring back some memories? The "crisis" of the past election process seems to have had all the characteristics of the entire impeachment fiasco. One side argues about the rule of law and the other side argues over the spirit of the law. It seems everything came down to the old basic argument over strict interpretation and judicial activism.

The Republicans used various laws and constitutional passages in order to support their arguments. Meanwhile, the Democrats used whatever court cases they could find in order to support their arguments. It seems that the Democrats don't care much about laws or the Constitution, but would like to depend on what various judges proclaim.

Although many people, especially lawyers, like to quote past court case rulings as a basis for current arguments, they tend to forget that the whole purpose of their current decision is suppose to be based on the Constitution and not solely on what other judges have said in the past. Everyone can agree that judges are human and can make mistakes. Although, we can look at other court cases, it is rather dumb to base everything upon those while ignoring the Constitution.

Anyway, it appeared that the election fiasco brought us back to the basic modern day arguments over the definition of various words. The arguments were not over "is" and "reprehensible" but rather included "chad," "intent," and "legal." Does that "chad" represent an "intent" to vote for a particular candidate and thus possibly make a particular ballot "legal?" Then when it came to the "chad's," we got into a whole lot more things that needed to be defined: "swinging door," "dimple," "pregnant," "dangling," "tri-chad," and many more.

So why are so many people having so much trouble understanding definitions, government procedures, and arrows on ballots? Perhaps it is because our education system has failed. Most schools no longer teach grammar, history, or government. Those that do teach such subjects in school, tend to make them politically correct. Unfortunately, a school can't teach truth anymore because it will be viewed as supporting a particular political ideology.

Meanwhile, most schools don't even have vocabulary tests anymore. This possibly brings about part of the current problem. So many people that have gone through the modern education system and been brainwashed by the liberal mainstream media that they are in full belief that the United States is the best Democracy in the world. Sure America is great, and also the best country in the world, but she is NOT a Democracy! America is a Republic! Every time I hear a politician or media personality talk about our great Democracy I want to throw a brick at the television.

The basics between a Democracy and a Republic are tragically different. The founding fathers even despised Democracy (rule by mob). Unfortunately, we all use this word in a favorable tone without knowing it's true meaning. We need to take back our schools and teach our children the truth!