Happy To Think For You

The original goal of the Republican Party (still given lip-service today) is that government should not be any larger than it need be.  Not a bad idea, really.  Provide those things that the average individual can’t, like roads and fire departments and defense against invaders and criminals and cheats (from muggers to corporate vice presidents) and then leave us alone. 

So why does it now want to control what we think (education), our personal lives (women’s health, gay rights, equal opportunity for all) and science (understanding reality as it is, not as it is portrayed on television), while not protecting us from people who want to take advantage of us?  

The answer is, as always, "follow the money".

Not surprisingly, a state that derives a large proportion of its income from coal does not want students to learn about such things as climate change.

An amendment to the Wyoming state budget proposed by state legislator Matt Teeters (R-Lingle) makes sure the new science standards (which the Grumpy Old Scientist, a former teacher, thinks are just fine) won’t get adopted:

“… neither the state board of education nor the department shall expend any amount appropriated under this section for any review or revision of the student content and performance standards for science. This footnote is effective immediately.”

While many states are adopting new national science education standards—a set of benchmarks outlining students’ science understanding in schools—the Wyoming Legislature has taken steps to specifically prevent the adoption of the new science standards outlined.

These new standards include stating as facts such scientifically testable things as evolution and climate change.   Apparently, in Wyoming, the new science standards are so contrary to what the religious fundamentalists and fossil fuel lobbists want us to think that the legislators don't even want those in charge of education to look at them.

State legislator Matt Teeters (R-Lingle) apparently wants to change the state slogan to "Wyoming: Forever Stupid."

More information about this anti-intelligence movement in Wyoming has been posted by Phil Plait here.