I appreciate your comment as always. I perfectly understand what you are saying and it was not my attempt to provide a holistic solution to all of America’s problems.

A more in depth article would be required for that. One person at a time creates a movement, a movement can encourage a large scale change, which would be required to revolutionize the educational system not only in the USA, but in the world.

However, it always starts with one person wanting to make a difference. The change that I am proposing would have to start at the bottom and spread up to the very top. If people are not ready to accept the change, then no matter what the government would do it would not matter.

At this point of time, it is important for more and more people to become aware of these issues and start making the right choices for themselves to create an environment inducive to a large scale change.

The power is with the people and people sometimes forget that. I hope that answers your concerns at least to some extent. It is an issue that requires a much deeper conversation.

Best,
Tomas

Thank you for your insight. I really commend you on being able to home-school your daughters. It is really a proud accomplishment and not too many people would be able to pull it off.

You said: “Part of the problem with the solutions for the problems you identify is that the people who are most affected (by dumbness and unhealthiness) are interested neither in change nor in changing.”

It is a very bold statement indeed. It might or not be true. Assuming that is true, then how do we change that attitude?

In my mind, it has everything to do with the environment, in which they grow and how they perceive the world. It is entirely possible that many of those individuals have a very limited perspective on the world. Moreover, they might be aware of the fact that there are different options out there, but some of them might not have the proper resources to accomplish that change.

It is always much more difficult to cure the sick than to prevent somebody from getting sick in the first place. The solutions that I propose would not be targeted towards the people who already have those issues. I believe it is much more important to target the young minds, so that the new generation that comes after us, is able to think and make smart choices for themselves. That in turn will create a new environment, in which achieving change would be something that would be supported and encouraged.

It is all about breaking the cycle. If nobody steps up, then only a revolution might be the cure for the disease of the America.

Best,
Tomas

Very powerful comment. I appreciate it.

It is great that you can relate and understand where I am coming from. See, I did not grow up in US either. I grew up in Europe and I can relate to your experience very well. School was school, nobody gave you a free pass if you messed up. It’s called tough love. I mean, if you condition children that they can get what they want even if they fail at a young age, then you are setting them up for failure later in life.

That’s the best thing we can do: be responsible in how we lead our lives and set example for those around us.

Thank you, Raul!

Best,
Tomas

Here in the US there is more of everything, and what suppose to be a good thing that helps dedicate more time to grow instead of just survival becomes the poison that destroy those who are unaware or don’t know another way of life.

Reading the part about education made me remember my school years back in Chile (my country) and how we had to study to pass the different classes or we simply failed and had to repeat that year, and as many times as necessary until we pass and can move on. It doesn’t hurt or create any traumas!

The part about health? To much food and too many options with no need to restrict oneself, here we can literally “eat to death” It is amazing how sometimes poverty in a country can be of help to its people while wealth can lead to problems.

You end up the article calling to action and I’m pleased to say that somehow my part has been talking about this differences between both countries in my blog. Not that one person can change the world, but a little bit here and there should help. :)

Great article, even though many people wouldn’t like it; but again, we know that “The first step to fix a problem is to realize the existence of the problem”, and sometimes that is a BIG step for many.

Raul

It is great having the World’s Strongest Librarian paying a visit to this site :)

I wish I could just send Congress a link and have them read it. The thing is this: I think they all clearly understand this, yet nobody has the guts to really stand up to their values do the right thing.

I am passionate about people making the right choices and living their lives to their best, so maybe one day I will have enough power to go to the Congress and tell them what I think instead of sending them a link :)

Thanks for the idea, Josh!

Thanks for stopping by!

Best,
Tomas

Now you are talking! See, the thing that people don’t understand is that the government and those big corporations have only as much power as we, the consumers, give them.

It’s all about greed. Yes, but we, the people, allow those corporations and the government to get richer. It is up to us to stand up say NO!

But it is tough, when most of us are oblivious to what is going on even in our own lives. How can we even begin to take on the larger issues at hand when our personal lives are in shambles?

Great having you come back Faizal:)

Best,
Tomas

Glad you liked the title

I watched the video and I am definitely glad that somebody is doing something about this. Yet, I do not know if that will be enough for people to get the message.

But I think it is a great start! Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tomas

That is one great value filled comment. I can honestly say: Thank you!

What you said really makes sense and I will take that to heart. I was thinking about the big picture and forgot about the individual actions that you a person can take. Really helpful that you pointed it out.

Actually, I am planning to labeling my article as food for thought and actionable articles, so that a reader would know what to expect.

A pleasure to have an awesome reader like you. Thanks for the input and the compliments :)

Best,
Tomas