Santorum vs Obama: Educational Policy

United States is globally known as the XX1´s  century promised  land, the country of opportunities, development and financial status.  Word´s image of United States is strongly based in its life style and high levels of competition, the competitiveness that makes its system capable of creating meritocracy. But how strong is this competitiveness linked to education?

In 2010, the number of students between 18 and 24 years registered in US universities achieved the record of 12.2 million; this has supported the idea that education is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Obama has emphasized this point in many speeches; he has mentioned that all children should be provided with education up to  college degrees , in order to confront the world with the best knowledge and capacities possible.  Many had applauded these words, but some seem not to agree with this. Such is the case of the 2012 presidential candidate Santorum, who has emphatically attacked Obama´s political projection.  By calling the current United States president a “snob” for wanting everybody to go to college, in front of  1,000 activists at the Americans for Prosperity forum in Troy, Mich, Santorum has made a strong statement and posture, by implying that education is not necessary in a global workforce. Arguing that not all US citizens have a college degree and still function in the economy with their own “gifts” and abilities,  Santorum has strongly criticized Obama´s posture targeting for the middle class voters. Given the fact that Santorum´s campaign has strong interest in Michigan, because of the prime territory this represents,  he is trying to manipulate and stimulate the idea that Obama wants  liberal values induced in children to create more of his own elite interests.

Although Obama has manifested that education is not only college degrees but technical abilities, I personally agree that all should have the opportunity to be provided with a better education.  I believe education is the future for every country, for every economy.  It does not matter the sector in which the development in made, knowledge is crucial at the end of the day. In a global economy such as ours, capitalism has influenced many parts of the world; competition has been such an important factor, for so capacity will provide the so wanted success. United States is indeed the mayor capitalist economy, it might not all entirely be ruled by the market but its monetary structure is.  Therefore, people need the capacity to subsist as better as they can with the necessary tools and abilities in such a competitive environment.

Santorum´s posture has criticized the current education system,  not only for the projection Obama has given to it, but for the inner structure itself. For this I mean the proposal Santorum has remarked his disagreement with J.F.K´s speech of religion in education,that church and State, according to Santorum are not that far away, the influence of church over the State cannot and should not be vanished. According to his thought, this would be contrary to the objectives and vision of United States. But then the real question we should be asking ourselves now that today church is separated from State, is if education has evolved and at what range?

Zaira Coral Delgado de Ita
UDLAP