“Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” – George Bernard Shaw
Of all the enemies who have ever menaced the United States of America, her biggest threat at all times is an insufficient number of citizens who are disposed to virtue and brimming with moral character. The preeminent threat to American security is found within her borders, and the most efficient way to neutralize this threat is found in the quality of the educational system.
Competent teachers in excellent schools produce dynamic citizens. The ideal citizen is one who assumes personal moral responsibility and who discharges his civic duties while contributing positively to the society in which he is privileged to function. The ideal citizen is at once humble, dignified, magnanimous and prolific. The ideal citizen is as willing to assume responsibility as he is to make good use of privilege.
“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” – George Bernard Shaw
Gregory Hake 
Liberty can no more exist without virtue . . . than the body can live and move without a soul.
—John Adams
Your words today spark a fire for productive citizenship.
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Our educational system is in a shambles.I’m not convinced that just throwing money at the problem will solve it but we still have inequalities in how we apportion our resources. In the seventies this was a popular saying, “It will be a great day when our schools have all the money they need, and our air force has to have a bake-sale to buy a bomber.” It’s not just the financial resource we are misusing but our compass has been lost. As a nation we are focused on surviving not thriving. Our children could learn to think not react. I think it has to begin with a fundamental directional change. I guess I still have confidence in grass roots efforts.
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I believe our educational system is designed to only have relatively few people come through actually educated. Too many educated people scares those in charge because the tricks and obfuscations they can get away with are greatly diminished. If parents, however, demand a real education for their children and are willing to work for it, it is most definitely possible.
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I live this post! I have always preached to my students that the secret to a well society is virtue. I plan to clip this post and include it in my lesson plan in the upcomIng school year. Great quotes!
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So true!
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