One of the biggest issues in this country is that people are not taught how to critically analyze the information they consume; instead, they are primarily taught how to memorize facts and pass standardized tests. As a result, many individuals struggle to differentiate between credible sources and misinformation, leading to a society where opinions are often shaped by emotion, bias, and surface-level understanding rather than thoughtful evaluation and reasoned discourse. This lack of critical thinking has played a significant role in how we got to our current situation in America—where misinformation spreads unchecked, people are more divided than ever, and complex issues are often reduced to oversimplified narratives that fuel outrage rather than solutions. A true education should go beyond rote memorization—it should foster critical thinking, encourage questioning, and teach people how to engage with complex ideas in a meaningful way. Without these skills, misinformation continues to thrive, intellectual discussions become less productive, and people remain vulnerable to manipulation by misleading narratives.

Red states tend to prioritize education policies that emphasize standardized testing, rote memorization, and ideological control over curriculum rather than fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. Many conservative-led states have pushed for restrictions on what can be taught in schools, particularly regarding history, social issues, and science, often framing it as a fight against so-called “indoctrination.” This results in students being shielded from diverse perspectives and complex discussions, making them less equipped to critically analyze information and more susceptible to misinformation. In contrast, blue states and blue-leaning counties generally invest more in education, often promoting curricula that encourage open discussions, media literacy, and problem-solving skills. While no system is perfect, these areas tend to support higher teacher pay, better resources, and policies that prioritize comprehension over memorization, ultimately producing students who are better prepared to engage with the world in a thoughtful and informed way. This disparity in educational approaches contributes to the growing divide in the country, as those who are denied a well-rounded education are less likely to question misleading narratives and more likely to accept oversimplified or false information at face value.

I am a strong supporter of public education and firmly believe that it needs significantly more funding to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality learning opportunities. Underfunded schools struggle with outdated materials, overcrowded classrooms, and underpaid teachers, all of which negatively impact student outcomes. As someone with an education in early childhood development, I understand just how crucial those early years are in shaping a child’s ability to learn, think critically, and succeed later in life. Investing in early education not only helps children develop essential cognitive and social skills but also sets the foundation for lifelong learning. When we fail to properly fund our schools, we fail our children and weaken our society as a whole. Education should be a national priority, not an afterthought, because a well-educated population is the backbone of a strong democracy and a thriving economy.

Conservative policies in red states have systematically weakened the education system, prioritizing ideology and cost-cutting over the well-being of students and teachers. By underfunding public schools, attacking teachers’ unions, banning books, and restricting discussions on history, science, and social issues, these policies have deliberately fostered ignorance rather than knowledge. Instead of equipping students with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the modern world, conservative lawmakers have pushed an agenda that keeps people uninformed and easily manipulated. This deliberate dumbing down of the population has had catastrophic consequences, the most glaring of which was the election of Donald Trump—a president who thrived on misinformation, anti-intellectualism, and the emotional manipulation of an electorate that had never been taught to question what they were being told. When education is weakened, democracy suffers, and we see the rise of leaders who capitalize on fear, division, and a lack of understanding rather than facts and reason. If we want to break this cycle, we must prioritize properly funding education, restoring critical thinking in schools, and rejecting policies that seek to keep the public ignorant for political gain.