Mark Morford is one of my favourite columnists. Unfortunately, is style of writing makes it almost impossible to effectively clip his work, so I urge you to read his entire column. Suffice it to say, I believe he has hit the proverbial nail on the head with his commentary on public education in the United States, today.

On that subject, watch Idiocracy:

From imdb
Plot ouline: Private Joe Bauers, the definition of "average American", is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future. He discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he's easily the most intelligent person alive.