Know America Project - KAP

This project is a proposal I am making to help fix our current crisis in the public education system. It seems to me, the only way to change course is to target a segment of our population, mainly the youth of America. They have not been taught about our rich history and why we are where we are. I called this “Know America Project” because we need to teach our youth about America, who we are and what we belief. Our unique history in shaping the course of the world we live.

- Mar. 2019

I am a conservative and also pragmatic. I always try to look for solutions to our common problems. One particular troubling issue has to do with our current public education system. It seems to me, they are not fullfilling their main task of teaching the next generation the history and civics of our nation. To try and fix this, I am proposing a national project to educate our youths. I am targeting students between the ages of 15-22 since they are the new crop of citizens that will be the leaders of tomorrow.

This project will cover a wide range of topics that I believe are missing from our current curriculum.

Here is a list of topics...

• history of our founding
• the Constitution and civics
• World history
• other competing countries...(Finland, Sweden, Norway...)
• Slavery and race relations
• economics
• finance
• Judeo Christian philosophy and religion
• the scientific method
• mathematics
• computer programming and logic
• the role of media
• American Exceptionalism

This project will also include a field trip. I am convinced that people learn best from first hand experience. In order for the youth of America to learn about humans around the world, they need to travel to some of those places.

As part of the KAP, I am proposing that each student spend 3 months living abroad all expenses paid in a country of their own choosing. This will give them a comparison between our country and that other country whereever it is.

Think of this as a field trip to seek out the truth. Which country is the best? All things considered.

The other aspect of this program is teaching the unvarnished truth of our past. The good, the bad and the ugly.

We have come a long way from the Mayflower. There were many lessons learned and some mishaps. The students needs to know the truth.

This project will also serve to prepare these students for the modern world. They will learn skills that are relevant to the 21st Century. They will learn to be self reliant and contribute to our society as a citizen of the greatest country the world has known.

This is an observation made by me over the last two decade. We have seen a coarsening of America in many ways. The politics have been so divisive. The media has lost its objectivity. The people have been so deceived by the “power that be.” The government institutions have been politicized. Some examples of things that are not going well, the canary in the mines.

• Fake news abounds.
• Close elections that are settled by just a handful of votes.
• Elected officials doing the bidding of the lobbyists against the will of the people.
• Fiscal responsibility goes out the window
• Scandals by our government officials without accountability

This KAP, as envisioned, will be privately funded. It is our responsibility to teach our youths and pass on the legacy that was given to us. This chain was in place for the greater part of our country’s history. In recent times, the chain seems to be broken for a mass group of our students especially from the inner cities. I blame this on the public education system as currently implemented and supported by the powerful Teacher’s Union. They have failed us.

I am seeking the formation of a non-profit institution, funded by Americans from all walks of life and from private companies and other non-profit foundations. The teaching sessions may be conducted by volunteers and professionals and at local community centers and churches and synagogues.

I do not seek or want the federal or local govenment involved. They will screw it up as they have done with so many of our other institutions.

This program is also voluntary and open to all students between the ages of 15-22 with parental permission required for kids under the age of 18.

The estimated cost of this project is $300 Billion. I am assuming there are 30 million students between the ages of 15-22 and that it would cost $10,000 per person to send a student overseas for 90 days.

The $300 Billion is the start up estimate. Once underway, each additional year will require additional $40 Billion.

Here are the general areas -

1. US History

2. World History

3. Comparative Religion

4. Economics

5. Personal Finances

6. Comparative Countries

7. Legal immigrant’s experience

8. Sciences and the Scientific Method

9. Applied Mathematics

10. Field Trip

Wrap up

Over the years, I have come across several organizations that are ideal for resources of this type. The Heritage Foundation is one and Hillsdale College is another. Both are Conservative institutions that have educational material to teach about our history and our civics. When in doubt, go to the source. Our Constitution is our guiding principle and it is a short document written in plain English. It was designed so that an average citizen with basic understanding of our language can read it and understand it. It is not a legal document. It is a contract between the people and the government they elected.

In addition, there are plenty of material saved in our national archives that document our founding fathers and their thoughts and writings. They can provide great insight as to their thinking when drafting and debating the Constitution.

We hear about the interpretation of the Constitution by our judges and what they are trying to determine the “original intent” of our founding fathers. No better source than their own words.

The ultimate goal of this project is to sell America.

The American people needs to be educated, and it starts with the next generation. It is my contention that adults are already set in their ways. They have been indoctrinated in their thinking and it is almost impossible to change.

It is hard for anyone to admit to themselves that they have been wrong all their lives.

For the youth of America, they have a new opportunity to learn about our past and then be proud to be Americans and will carry us forward into a new generation of Americans. The Know America Project will educate the youth of America with the goal of selling the American dream and ideals.

This project proposal is a work in progress. This is my first attempt to put something down on paper. I have been thinking about this idea for some time. What is the best way to affect change? And have the most impact long term.

I always believed in the power of knowledge. With the right knowledge, all things are possible.

This is just a first draft at a concept. I hope to fill in the details over the next few months. I welcome suggestions and comments.

• America is unique and a noble nation but not perfect
• We are the shining light on the hill, source of liberty and freedom
• We are no longer a racist nation and have put slavery and race discrimination behind us
• We are the greatest economic engine in the world and have brought wealth and mobility to a large number of people
• We have the strongest military in the world and are trying to achieve peace through strength
• We are the envy of the world and why so many wants to immigrate here
• We are a just nation with blessings from God since our founding over 200 years ago

I am open to the idea as some suggested that people may reach a different conclusion. Even after attending this program, they may decide Finland is a better model to live by. I am perfectly fine with that. At least they would have learned the difference and given free choice, they are free to choose.

My contention is they need to learn before they can make an informed choice. Unlike today where they are indoctrinated by their liberal teachers to think otherwise.