As a member of the class of 1985, I am disgusted at the title of the program described in an e-mail I received the other day: “Obamacare’s Assault on Religious Liberty.” I used to think the notion of Hillsdale’s independence was noble and saw it as an alternative to education programs that had an agenda other than teaching. This singular e-mail has made me totally rethink that concept. What I used to think was a liberal arts education had been exposed to be nothing more than indoctrination. You know, I always kind of knew that was what was happening, but since it never really reached the level of being offensive I never really gave it much thought.
I counted myself fortunate to have spent time at Hillsdale, and also fortunate to have pursued two more degrees at other institutions. The balance of being exposed to many ideas and theories has made me a more open-minded and understanding person, not a closed minded ideologue. Sadly, our society has been hijacked by ideologues from both sides of the political spectrum. Our country has been frozen by the lack of a spirit of compromise by its leaders and citizens. You only contribute to that poor behavior by using such language in “teaching” our youth.
The very notion that you label the legislation “Obamacare” displays a lack of consideration and respect for those leaders with whom you don’t agree: surely not a good lesson for our country’s youth. Secondly, that you say that the legislation is itself an assault on religious liberty is such a simplistic criticism of such a complex issue that one should be ashamed it came from an institution of higher learning. I agree there are unintended consequences of the legislation that may cause conflicts with some people’s religious views, but to label the legislation in that manner makes one think it was the sponsor’s intention to do so and is childish and not constructive. It also shows a lack of respect for those of differing religious beliefs, or the very fact that some do not choose to be religious, which is a right as much guaranteed in our constitution as the right to practice Catholicism, Islam, or the Jewish faith.
Perhaps changing the tile to “Is Obamacare an Assault on Religious Liberty” would have framed the conversation as a debate on the topic (not withstanding my distaste for the term Obamacare) instead of a lecture. That would be a more appropriate act for an institution proud of the liberal arts tradition.
I recently had a conversation with a member of the faculty of Wesleyan University who couldn’t be further opposite from the views of Hillsdale. He happened to be appalled that Justice Scalia was speaking on campus. I tried to explain that it was better for the students to learn by being exposed to both sides of an argument to teach them to think for themselves and make their own decisions based upon a free exchange of ideas. That is the hallmark of an education.
As an educational institution you owe it to our youth to teach them not indoctrinate them. Yes, you can have a viewpoint, but it should be balanced and not based on hyperbole or hysteria. It should present the very idea that there are differences of opinion, and that those differences should be respected and the people that have them as well.
I think it is about time for those of us with moderate viewpoints to stand up to the antics of the extremists in our society. I would appreciate being eliminated from your mailing lists for Imprimis and for e-mails such as the one mentioned above.
