Jimmy Carter appointed a commission to determine what the goals of education
should be. They decided the prime goal was to produce successful adults and
set about determining what traits set successful adults apart from the herd.
That proved impossible. Nobel prize winners are often poor athletes, great
athletes are not necesarily very bright and successful financiers,
businessmen, entertainers, et al are usually neither. The only thing all
successful folks seemed to share was high self esteem. Now one might argue
that this trait was caused by success but not if you owe the president an
answer and it's all you have. Thus the goal of US education shifted from
imparting knowledge to imparting high self esteem. Johnny's too lazy to
learn the alphabet or sums? That's OK, don't criticize let alone punish him.
Might hurt his self esteem. Sammy thinks 1+1=3? Well that's close. And a
generation later we got a president who should have invaded Iran but got one
letter wrong and invaded Iraq instead.

"Capt. Mooron" wrote
Only a Yank would be so stupid!