What If There Were No Google? Could Our Kids Think Their Way Out?

Can we agree that the ability to read is critical to success for most people? Can we agree that millions of young Americans have trouble reading, which in its own way puts the country's future in trouble? Can we agree we've got trouble right here in River City, which starts with R and that stands for READ!

In 1816 Thomas Jefferson said (do our kids know who he was?) "If a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was & never will be. The functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty & property of their constituents. There is no safe deposit for these but with the people themselves; nor can they be safe with them without information. where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe."

There are a couple of concerns pointed out by Jefferson.  He said that people aren't safe without information. Can we agree that he is right -- that it is that important? He adds the two big IFs. "All is safe IF the press is free." Is it? Today's press may be free, but is it performing its constitutionally protected function -- OR has it abdicated the pursuit of fair and balanced objective reporting in favor of advocacy of liberal causes and individuals?

The other IF is, "All is safe IF every man (and woman) is able to read." Are they? Has the state of education today put our national future at risk?

Bill Whittle is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, YouTuber and a KIT favorite. He thinks about questions like this and here shares his take on the extension of what happens when Johnny can't read -- Johnny can't think!