by Author Name Withheld 126

Created on: January 24, 2009   Last Updated: August 12, 2010

Barack Obama stated while campaigning that education was the best method for "giving hope and opportunity to millions of people of all ages." It is likely that this will be one of his central goals in his efforts to bring hope back to America. This is especially true after the outrage and lack of faith brought about by some changes made during the last administration. All reaches of education should benefit from this need to recover the image of government run education systems.

Obama has cited the need to build on the success of current adult education programs and considers most of them to be highly cost effective. That means that, even in this tight economy, there is little hindering some positive developments. He also seems to believe that adult education is vital to removing citizens need to rely on other forms of government support. It is a fresh realization that this type of support pays for itself and will stimulate the economy more than a free check.

In the past, he has made efforts to address immigrant and even unregistered adults in America. With full presidential power, it is likely that he will revive such efforts. This may anger many Americans investing tax money into foreign born residents, however, the problem won't go away. In some cases, these are even full citizens falling behind. Our entire education system is failing. If we just ignore these residents, the problem of education and literacy will only increase. The divide between immigrants and natural residents will gain further tension.

Education unites people in a common cause and separates differences. Education and our national identity are one in the same. Thomas Jefferson realized this when he pushed for public education initially. Back then, we only had many rural and farming citizens that were alienated from the elite citizens of the country. The dream was born in America that hope existed for all citizens regardless of birth. Later, immigrants came seeing this same hope. Education and opportunity united them with the country.

Now, we have regained that elite mentality. Our government feels worse than the England many of our families once left. Obama's efforts are to reach out and create that spirit of hope once again. Do not force immigrants to learn our culture and language because it is what we demand. Do not cast out illegal citizens, who have lived here decades, because we now grow weary of them. Instead, show them why our culture means something and allow them to accept us

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