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The public schools in California are doing what they were designed to do—train obedient servants of the totalitarian state.

Totalitarian states use mono-thought—all correct thoughts are taught to children, and incorrect thoughts are punished.

Free inquiry?—how quaint—a legacy of white male slave-holder rule!

Home school bump.

When I lived in Europe in the 1970s, all things American were admired--especially the American education system. It was widely believed that US students were taught and encouraged to think for themselves and that ideas, the free exchange of ideas, and unfettered inquiry were ubiquitous and prevalent in the US education system. "The more the student challenges the teacher's contentions, the more delighted the teacher becomes" was reported everywhere.

This free exchange of ideas and opinions was credited with American innovation, know-how, and prosperity.

Fast forward to 2019 USA. The opposite is true. US students are taught not to think but to conform. The free exchange of ideas and unfettered inquiry are outlawed and scorned. A student who challenges or disagrees with the teacher's contentions is severely penalized. "Facts" are taught--not ideas. A suffocating conformity of thinking and belief--a groupthink--is demanded of both teachers and students; any deviation from it is heresy. Anyone attempting to introduce heretical ideas is scorned at best, subject to violence at worst.

Such is the state of American education in the 21st century.