Regarding a recent letter to the editor regarding the value of a college degree: Diplomas from high school through university denote graduation, not whether one achieved a 1.0 or 4.0 level. Thus degrees within a college, let alone between colleges, don’t represent equal achievement of knowledge, skills or understanding. Worse, one can purchase “college degrees” online. This makes it necessary to look at the substance of each college degree including the one claimed by an the letter’s author.
That writer’s inability to look at democracy and see herself as, “smarter or above those who do not have a college degree” tells us she got very little of the education offered at college. Her remarks show she doesn’t know democracy requires an informed citizenry. So it’s doubtful she understands that “informed” means applying at least K-12 study skills to political issues and candidates.
Contrary to the writer’s opinion, having “smarts, intelligence, honor and work ethic” is inadequate to establishing and maintaining a democracy. One need only look to Afghanistan, Iran or Somalia to see that those attributes don’t necessarily translate to democracy. Thus, I say the political opinions of poorly educated Americans, whether Republican, Democrat or independent, don’t matter beyond indicating danger to democracy. Let those folks speak, treat them as human beings. Ensure they have the same rights as every citizen. But don’t pretend they aren’t a drag on democracy and you, as a college graduate aren’t their better.
Paul Heckel
Snohomish
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