It has come to my attention that several politically charged issues have sprung from President Obama’s “student address” on Tuesday. I, myself, find this planned oration oddly controversial and nearly unnecessary toward the so called “betterment” of our educational system.
First in order, do we truly require the president of our United States to advise our adolescent scholars the importance of mantaining a successful school career? Though it is true that many former presidents (ie: Bill Clinton; George H.W. Bush; Ronald Regean,) have in fact made several public scholastic addresses, never before has a president planned to make “said speech” simply to inform students of “the importance of staying in school.”
According to MSNBC, initially, Obama was planning a requested “national homework assignment,” if you will. Obama would request every U.S. student to write a letter, proposing their suggested improvements toward the U.S. educational system and more. After an uproarious outrage brought on by mostly the conservative party, the White House removed this request from Obama’s speech, replacing it with a “simple lesson plan, meant to encourage students to study hard and stay in school.” The letters “would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals,” the plan stated.
My question to you, President Obama: Do we not have motivational figures, dedicated teachers and self-discipline to understand this “lesson plan” already? Is this a truly necessary address, and will our educational system be so drastically improved the minute you step on national television?
We, the students of America, know that our educational system is in dire need of development. Do you think that reciting a lesson plan will change the fact that our class sizes are at an all-time high, our teachers are financially neglected and college tuition is rising at an unbearable rate?
The answer, Mr. Obama, is a definite “no.”
If you desire to provide this “hope” America is still waiting to see, step off the stage and into the classroom. Since you insist on increasing America’s perpetual debt, put our national dollars into a deficient school system, not a health care system that doesn’t need immediate fixing, or a vexatious war that yearns for conclusion. It is appalling that our tax dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology.
Perhaps the plan is to accidentally “slip in” political encouragement toward our school-aged children who simply don’t know better. Perhaps this is all one glorious attempt at converting our American scholars toward the “Obama Nation.” NOT to say that supporting Obama makes you un-educated, but it’s not a coincidence that the majority of uneducated America, underprivileged citizens and foreign residents find satisfaction within the empty promises of our president.
To Quote Oklahoma State Sen. Steve Russell, a Republican: “As far as I’m concerned, this is not a civics education – it gives the appearance of creating a cult of personality.”
“Ninety percent of Americans who identify with the president’s party approve of him, but 85 percent of those who belong to the opposition party dissaprove,” according to CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. In an environment like that, almost nothing Obama does is immune from political controversy.
Conservative America sees through the costume. You can step onto the stage, revel in its bright lights, bask in the glory and speak your malingering speech. However, at the end of the day, our issues still stand and your duties still are overwhelmingly relevent toward the disoriented progression of our society.
Brittne Lunniss is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. She recently received the Alexander Hamilton Award for superior citizenship and achievement in a national competition.
