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or don't. Either way, John Kerry is a dumbass.

Right now, the US economy sucks. Despite all the talk of a recovery, the economy sucks. Unemployment and underemployment are massive problems. Companies are sending jobs off shore. I could go on, but there isn't really any need. Even those who are going on about the recovery will admit we're still hurting.

And Kerry proposes tying aid to "national service".

Like I said. Dumbass.

Let me point out that I am, almost by reflex, suspicious of anything that even remotely smacks of socialism. I think socialism is an evil that is as dangerous as it is insidious. If you don't believe me, look up the term "Bread and Circuses".

That said, the one area where I believe that the government should foot the bill without hesitation or question is education. I think universal education is vital to the future and security of any nation.

The concept isn't one most people really get. After all, what good is an education to someone doing manual labor? What good being able to read to someone who sweeps floors?

Except a simple skill, one at the basis of any education, the ability to read, will increase the productivity of any labor force. The educated worker can perform more complex tasks and a greater variety of tasks. The educated worker can be trained in a shorter period of time. The educated worker requires less supervision.

Let's start with a basic real world example. A literate janitor can be left to do his/her job without supervision, because a literate janitor can read the labels on the ammonia and bleach bottles and won't accidentally kill everyone in the building by mixing the two.

I won't even get into the advantages of having literate soldiers, except to say any illiterate peasant can be taught to load and fire an AK-47, but try to teach that same peasant to use a 120mm mortar, or the new Land Warrior System.

Now, I'm aware that Kerry isn't suggesting eliminating universal education.

But you do not ever deliberately raise a barrier to any level of education. It's stupid, short sighted and ultimately self destructive.

Because the higher the average level of education in a society, the higher the level of productivity that society can achieve and the more secure that society can make itself.

A functional and efficient educational should be regarded as a vital economic and defense asset, and Kerry wants to piss it away to gain a few votes.