I think that the intent of the original post was to draw a comparison between what was 30-40 years ago, as compared to what is today. I went to public school through the 50's and 60's, and am convinced that I am a fairly smart fellah. While not having extensively studied the subjects, I know more about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, American History, etc. etc., than my grown daughters and sil's that graduated 6-10 years ago. The problem is not so prevalent in the rural areas, but in the large metropolitan areas it's a different story. Too many headlines (Not in the main stream media) about how kids are no longer being taught what I was taught. Instead, they are being taught self-esteem, tolerance, how capitalism is bad and America is worse, and the list goes on and on (let's not forget gay-tolerance). Parents are also a major part of the problem, especially considering that the majority (don't quote me) of families in the large metropolitan areas are probably single parent. I have no facts, but would think that the number of two parent families would be higher in the rural areas. Most teachers are not to blame, as they are told (forced) by their school districts as to what they are allowed and expected to teach. I was raised in the city (with frequent weekend trips to the relatives farms), was a GS-11 with the Federal Government making good bucks, when a friend asked if I would be interested in helping his dad out. His dad was growing tobacco on leased land, and could not find anyone willing to help him reap what he had sown. Without hesitation, I volunteered, talked one of my friends into helping, and drafted my half-brother as well. Needless to say, after two days I determined that I did not want to be a tobacco farmer. Pay? None, but more food than we could eat at meals, ice cold tea or water brought to us in the field. Value? Priceless, giving of ourselves to help out someone who needed it.
I don't think that anyone is trying to point out any particular group or problem, but it should be obvious to all of us that we do have a problem. It has been said that it takes a Village to raise a child. What we need to do is to get rid of the idiots in charge of the village and replace them with someone who believes in America, American Exceptionalism, Faith, and the Constitution. Until such a time, we will continue these debates.
(Oh, and I was also called a ^%%* hippie by my parents and their friends)