In 1963, Richard Hofstadter, one of the greatest historians of the 20th century published his “Anti-Intellectualism in American History.” In this book, he argued that there runs throughout our nation’s history a dangerous tradition of popular distrust of learning. Although Hofstadter was writing history, he might just as well have been prophesying the future, for it seems very clear to me that anti-intellectualism and even opposition to secular education is finding new strength in the United States today.

Even words which once had positive connotations, like intellectual and elite, are now little more than epithets hurled at those who champion the notion that an educated populace is essential to America’s future. Thomas Jefferson, himself, perhaps, the greatest intellectual in our national history, would have been appalled at the rising tide of anti-teacher and anti-public school sentiment.

It seems, at virtually all levels, politicians and commentators have decided to attack our educational system. These attacks go far beyond criticism of teachers’ unions. Everywhere we look today public universities are losing legislative and popular support. Public school programs are being cut to the bone and, in the case of some, eliminated entirely. Science has become politicized. Basic science is called irrelevant. History has become the arena for political myth creation and any notion of seeking the truth is subordinated to partisan political agendas.

It seems to me that the American people are rapidly losing sight of the important role education has played in our history. Our rise to national prominence was built on the idea of an educated citizenry. Our economic prosperity was brought about by American creativity. In the early 19th century, it was believed that our national pride required a great national literature, great art produced by Americans.

The unfettered curiosity of American scientists — men like Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs — has made us the greatest technological society in history. Are we really willing to throw all that away? Do we really want our children and grandchildren to be deprived of the joys of learning and the opportunities created by a solid education?

One of the most ironic features of the current rise of anti-intellectualism in the United States is the fact that anyone who attempts to defend education’s importance is immediately characterized as an effete “intellectual” and an elitist.

Perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that we are people whose lives were enriched beyond measure by schools, libraries, universities. I am not saying that American education is perfect nor that all teachers are without fault. What I am saying is that our national future, just like our history, lies in a free, educated, literate population. If we destroy our educational institutions, generations to come will be impoverished in mind and body.