A learning opportunity

An observation from the Early June 2013 North Woods Call

    Everyone seems to have an opinion these days and, naturally, most people think their own ideas are correct.  Unfortunately, modern notions blow like tumbleweeds in the political winds and few people can hear other voices above the atmospheric roar.
     As a result, we tend to make life-changing decisions based on misinformation spewed by self-serving demagogues—skilled at manipulating the masses—rather than on our own knowledge of the facts.  And, too often, we filter everything through whatever political philosophy captures our personal fancy, thumbing our noses at alternative ideas and philosophies.
     Because few of us have ever been—or ever will be—politicians, we think it would be useful if Americans stopped viewing every discussion as “political”—worthy of attention if it comes from “our side” and contemptible if it comes from the other.  Why not begin looking at the thoughts of our fellow citizens as simply ideas worth considering?  After all, we supposedly all love liberty and justice, and want to hand the best nation possible down to our children and grandchildren.
     Most of us would probably agree that understanding our collective history and having accurate information on which to base our civic debate is vital to a free society.  Without it, we can’t make the best decisions going forward.
     Hillsdale College in southern Michigan is attempting to address this need by offering free online courses in American history and the U.S. Constitution.  We currently are participating in some of these courses, and are impressed by the thoroughness and relative objectivity with which the information is  presented.
      There are video lectures, supplemental readings, question-and-answer sessions and quizzes to test your knowledge.  And it’s all free of charge.
     College officials say they want to help citizens understand the differences between the constitutional republic bequeathed to us by our founders and the now-dominant administrative bureaucracy that has come from 100-plus years of so-called “progressive” thought and policy.
     “We’re living right now in one of the key moments of American history—one of the pivots,” said Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn.  “We’re going to go one way, or the other.  [Abraham] Lincoln said that a house divided against itself cannot stand.  We’ve got a house that can’t continue being organized in two different ways.  It won’t stand.”
     The key to good decision-making, he said, is knowing what’s true, as well as the consequences and alternatives to our actions.
     “How are you going to figure out what the right way is?” Arnn asked.  “The answer is, learn the story of the country, and learn the principles and institutions that have guided that story, and emerge from it.  That’s a critical thing for people in America to be doing right now, because, if they’re going to exercise choice over what becomes of them, they’re going to need to know.”
     We couldn’t agree more and encourage others to explore this wonderful learning opportunity from one of the premier private liberal arts colleges in the country.  All it takes is an open mind, a desire to learn and a little time.
     Each of us has a duty to be an informed citizen and these Hillsdale College courses are well worth the minimal investment required. (For information: www.online.hillsdale.edu)..