by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: January 22, 2009   Last Updated: November 19, 2010

This article was first  updated October 2, 2009, and this is the second time it is again being looked over. It is apparent from the uproar, the unhappiness of US citizens, and the recent shakeup at the polls, the resultant switch in midstream of many voters beliefs, has shown that indeed education needs to play an even larger part now. Far too many in congress can't see far enough from their own face to see that change is in the air.

Obama has now been president about for about nine months and while he has been so busy with the economy and his health care plan to do any specific talks - other than to elementary school students - about education, his actions say he is believes that none of us are not too old to learn. And this statement written prior to his officially becoming president still stand true: No one knows for sure where adult education and adult literacy are headed in this new Obama era but we can be sure of one fact: We here in the United States, and possibly elsewhere, are in for a few jolts to our complacency. It was his fine education that got him where he is today, and he will be learning and acquiring new skills as he undertakes the tremendous task ahead. Every one of us will be needed to do our part.

He had no role in our economy plummeting, yet he has been elected to the formidable task of resurrecting it and whether we like it or not, we will be involved. It will be to our credit if we stop our whining and our bellyaching and get on board the freedom train now slowly rolling. All aboard! The question most of us are asking ourselves now is why he wanted such a daunting task? While we will never know for sure that answer, and it is probable he does not even know, we can hope and pray that he succeeds and that he brings to this country that missing element that has been lacking in our educational system. That of equality.

Can it be sincerity of purpose as he envisions it? In his inauguration speech he made reference to doing business only in the light of day. In other words, no more fly by night schemes that undermines the integrity of the Declaration of Independence as it and its Amendments were written. He believes in this and I believe he will see that education will not only be for the young and the innocent, but for those hardened to the ways of the world and its complexities.

Education in general is addressed nationally with much freedom for the states to manage their own system according to federal legislation. This is well and

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