Education: Still an American Value?

The Bushes have a long history with Yale, one of the finest educational institutions in the nation, and take pride in that connection. Mitt Romney went to Stanford and Harvard. Even Rick Santorum, with his infamous "snob" comment, has three degrees. So why is it that such a large portion of the conservative movement have suddenly begun to disparage education rather than embrace it as an American value?

It seems education was a non-partisan issue (and universally considered to be beneficial) until very recently. During the 2008 election, Barack Obama was labeled an ivory tower "elitist" by conservatives because he was informed and articulate. And this acceptance of ignorance has become even worse during this election. Herman Cain's following seemed by and large undisturbed by his dismissal of a president's need to know basic foreign policy.

Perhaps it's my New England upbringing that causes me to be such an "elitist snob", but one of the things I admire most about Barack Obama is that he managed to earn an excellent education despite growing up with considerable financial hardship. Even though Republicans hit him again and again with concerns of his lack of foreign policy experience, he was certainly well-versed in it. Yes, he has his weak points (the economy comes to mind), but he at least wouldn't be caught dead speaking a word like "Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan".

When did American conservatives stop believing that intelligence, education, and articulation were important qualities in a president? Time after time throughout this primary season we have seen Republicans blithely forgive these displays of ignorance. Why are these basic mistakes considered acceptable? Is it resentment, borne of racism, felt by conservatives that a black man should be allowed to receive so excellent an education? I imagine white Republicans would be far less threatened by Herman Cain, who could not hold a candle to Obama's brilliance. Or perhaps it is because of the deterioration of the quality of education we receive here in the U.S. Are Americans simply not capable of recognizing the short-comings of this season's candidates? Maybe the true "elitist snobs" in our nation - like the ones who drive multiple Cadillacs and pal around with Nascar team owners - have given a bad name to the educated. Is an MBA now automatically associated with Wall Street corruption?

I do not mean to speak only of a university education. Vocational schools and apprenticeships are incredibly valuable as well. Not everyone fits into the erudite university mold. Electricians, mechanics, and chefs are all incredibly valuable to our country. They make up the backbone of functionality and infrastructure without which academia, among other so called "higher institutions", could not exist. These people, too, are pursuing greater knowledge, bettering themselves and their country.

I look forward to the day when the acquisition of knowledge is celebrated again. Education should be honored and respected. I want to live in a country with a leader who knows everything he possibly can about running countries; a leader who continually strives for greater knowledge about the world around him or her. I want to be proud of my leader, and since 2009 I have been. Barack Obama has a great mind and it is a sin to believe that having a leader possessing so extraordinary a mind is anything other than a blessing to our country.