Here in America, we tend to grumble about our government, but generally we acknowledge that it sure seems to beat many other countries, and is significantly better than countries that aren’t first-world. While it’s generally understood that we don’t put much emphasis on education, notably science education, it’s pretty clear we have the resources improve education, we just don’t like to.

In a perfect example of this lack of care for education, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that a bill that just reached the House to improve funding for science education and jobs was destroyed by the GOP by a provision which, in simpler terms, made it so anyone who didn’t vote no on it was supporting viewing of pornography by state employees.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/gop-kills-science-jobs-bill-by-forcing-dems-to-vote-for-porn.php

It truly is depressing to see our capability as a first world power squandered over ridiculous partisan playground fights. The bill was basically a re-commitment to the COMPETES act, which funded science for the sake of ensuring America stayed competitive in a world market and didn’t fall behind scientifically whether for the sake of innovation or simply profitable technology. COMPETES was surprisingly put into place by the Bush Administration.

It feels more and more we’re slowly moving backwards into the dark ages again, reversing the progress of clear and rational thinking. This comes within a week of Sarah Palin saying : “They’re quite clear that we would create law based on the God of the Bible and the 10 commandments, it’s pretty simple.” Ralph Hall and like-minded people in the GOP seem pretty determined to dim any sort of light on intellectual progress in this country.

Its this startling trend towards disregarding education and anti-reality makes it a breeding ground for ignorance, pseudo-science, and brainwashed people, like mold to week-old bread.
Also curses to badastromony for getting his article up just before I finished writing mine.