Not too long ago there was a major news flash about the very poor geographical knowledge of most Americans. This came as no blinding flash of the obvious to me, having long been amused (actually, dismayed) about how little many of our citizens know about history, geography, and other topics I believe are of critical importance.

A few minutes ago, I was downstairs having breakfast in the hotel restaurant when I overheard this conversation between a young waitress and the two men in the booth behind me:

"Everything okay, hon?"

"Yep, everything's fine, thanks."

"So, where are y'all from?"

"Qatar."

"Where's that?"

Now, you would think that at a time when we are at war in the Middle East and thousands of Americans (including my son) are stationed at huge bases in the Gulf Emirate of Qatar, the averagely-informed person would at least have known what and where Qatar is.

Democracy depends upon an educated, aware electorate able to know and understand the issues of the day and make intelligent decisions on them. Education is the foundation on which a representative democracy rests, and we do not spend the time and money on education that is necessary. In many parts of the world, teachers are held in high esteem; here in America, they make a bare living wage and are expected to foot many of the expenses of their classes by underfunded school districts.

Will the world come to an end because a friendly young waitress in Colorado Springs doesn't know where Qatar is? No. But it does bode ill for our future if those who will vote for our national leadership and its policies don't understand the world around them - historically, geographically, and economically.

Support your schools. If you are in school, stay there and learn all you can. It will serve all of us well in an uncertain future.

Have a good day. More comments later.

Bilbo