Why education is worth supporting.

As a young child I was taught, both at home, and in school, the value of good manners.  For example, if you want something that someone else is holding, you ask for it politely.  You say, "May I use that eraser?"  You do not grab at it; you do not demand it; you do not ask for it with a request laden with insults: "May I use that eraser, you Boogerhead?"

One of my concerns about the slash-and-burn approach to state and national budgets these days is that the quality of- and accessibility to- education seem clearly to be at risk.  If that education slips, opportunities for learning basic interpersonal skills, including manners, will be diminished. And if that happens, we'll have a generation of elected officials who don't have the necessary skills to govern.  They'll try to run through legislation at 1 AM when the opposition is on break.  They'll try to destroy collective bargaining, even as they watch textbook examples of unions agreeing to asked-for concessions.

Oh wait!  That day has already arrived.  The good news for Gov. Walker is that he has had the benefit of thousands of teachers that came to Madison to give him some remedial education.  Let's hope this time it sticks.