The Outstater
The Political Distraction of Youth
THERE IS SOMETHING about the middle-aged mind that imagines it can transmit seamlessly to the next generation the observations, wisdom and judgment of a lifetime. The reality, for better or for worse, is that each generation makes up its own mind in its own time.
Nonetheless, we continue to launch grand projects in the name of youth, ignoring that the young by definition lack serious influence, resources or attention span. Plus, they change their addresses and their minds without much notice — not the demographic for a serious political ground game.
But so it goes with Gov. Mike Braun and his promotion — nay, adoption — of “Turning Point USA” in Indiana schools, a campaign being undertaken in disturbingly political terms. The governor this week explained that such a political intrusion was needed to balance the discourse in the classrooms and hallways.
Ah, if it were that easy, to merely issue a proclamation for impressionable young ears. Again, folly at best. We need the governor to regain control over what students are taught, not throw young minds into the political fray. Rather, his job is to bend cranky legislators to the correct point of view — a much more difficult task, unpleasant even.
In 2011, Indiana unwisely shifted away from a traditional statewide textbook adoption process. The Republican super-majority removed the Indiana State Board of Education’s authority to maintain a broad list of approved textbooks. This had allowed a thorough and accountable review based on educational values.
Textbook and curricular material now are a local responsibility, which too often means a decision by the politically activated of a community, that is, proselytizing teachers, union thugs and woke parents. And it is not so much what is taught as what is omitted. In certain districts, Indiana students can reach adulthood without a working knowledge of the history of Western Civilization, of how wealth is created, of how individual liberty is won and protected.
My assistant, Grok, tells me that a survey by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni found that 60 percent of student respondents were unaware of congressional term lengths, only 27 percent correctly identified the Vice President as president of the Senate, and only 23 percent knew that the Gettysburg Address was the source of “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” And the most recent Personal Finance Index, an annual measure of exposure to economics, found Gen Z students performing the worst, with a drop in scores across the board.
Braun’s constituency is clear on the point: It wants the governor to lead in removing liberal group-think from public education. He can start by pointedly lobbying the Legislature and putting powerful voices on his Board of Education. There have been enough publicity photos of him surrounded by the folderol of youth, there’s grownup work to do. — tcl
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