David Deming, who is a professor of arts and sciences at the University of Oklahoma, and the author of “Black & White: Politically Incorrect Essays on Politics, Culture, Science, Religion, Energy and Environment,” has a terrific post up over at the Washington Times reminding me of something that I want to do but keep putting off: reading Rush Limbaugh’s two recent books for kids.
Deming writes that Rush’s books have “driven the political left into conniption fits.” Best of all, Deming makes one of my favorite points, which in this case is how Republicans and conservatives have failed for decades when it comes to the issue of educational liberty.
Here is Deming:
What Mr. Limbaugh’s critics find intolerable is that these are children’s books. The first, “Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims,” narrates the story of the Pilgrims’ emigration to America in search of religious freedom. The second, “Rush Revere and the First Patriots,” describes the events leading up to the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party and protests against the Stamp Act.
What makes these books so offensive to progressives is that Mr. Limbaugh has the audacity to challenge them on their own turf. The great irony of the 20th century is that while the United States won the Cold War abroad, we lost the battle at home for the hearts and minds of our children. While Ronald Reagan was preoccupied with defeating the Soviet Union, the left was quietly cementing its control over American education. Public schools in this nation, from kindergarten through graduate school, are quietly but effectively destroying our country by teaching our youth to hate it.
Many of us were dumbfounded by Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012. We couldn’t understand how the same people who gave President Reagan two landslide victories could return Mr. Obama to office. Elections can be important, but we have to stop viewing them as causes and learn to see them as effects. When an entire generation has been indoctrinated into loathing their heritage, it should come as no surprise that they want a leader who shares their values. No campaign can change this.
…
The way to reclaim America is through patient diligence. First, have children. Demography is destiny. Second, don’t abandon your children to the public schools. Take the responsibility for educating them. Third, teach children why the United States is both unique and exceptional. With his new series of children’s books, Rush Limbaugh is showing the way.
Read Demings’ entire article at the Washington Times.
