A cursory observation of statements and policies from conservatives in the past couple of decades makes it clear they don't actually want people to think.
The Republican Party of Texas has now made it official. In its 2012 platform the party has explicitly stated that it doesn't want our kids to be taught how to think.
"Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority."
Without critical thinking, we'd still be living in caves, trying to capture fire, hoping that we could spear our next meal. The only reason our lives today are as good as they are is because of critical thinking.
America's existence is all about undermining authority. Without that fundamental idea, there never would have been a Boston Tea Party or a revolution. The civil war would not have happened and we would still own slaves.
Today more than ever, with all of the sources of "information" that are available our children need to understand how to analyze the "facts" they are being bombarded with and make judgements.
Question Everything!
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GOP Opposes Critical Thinking
Party platform paints original ideas as a liberal conspiracy
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As far as I'm concerned that's the only thing public schools should teach, insofar as they should exist at all. Information can be gotten out of a book, voluntarily. Critical thinking can only be gotten through painful experience or direct teaching.
Texas Republicans obviously do not value knowledge.
Look at Bush jr. and Perry.
/facepalm
//Texanwhoiswell-educated
Ignorant and herdable sheeple are best for politicians, who are, at their heart, used-car salesmen.