[Florida] Attempt to require high school civics education quashed by Republicans, ensuring Floridians remain ignorant enough to vote for them

I admit, the headline came from a TotalFARK submission (that I hope gets a greenlight, right now it's only viewable to paid subscribers). Here's an excerpt from the article:

In Tallahassee, Democratic state Rep. Curtis Richardson tried to increase middle-school civics education by amending a major education bill Thursday. But Republicans rejected the amendment in floor debate.

"It's simply unnecessary," said Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, the chairman of the House Education Council. Baxley said high school teachers can already teach civics, including the Declaration of Independence, three branches of government and flag education.

High school students presently are required to earn three social studies credits. Individual districts, and in fact individual schools, can determine the sequence, but most students take one year of world history and one year of American history.

They also take a one-semester course in economics. What used to be a yearlong civics class has been replaced with a one-semester American government course. That's simply not enough, Lightfoot says.

Keep 'em dumb about how it really works, and you keep yourselves in power...sounds like a campaign strategy, a long term one.

Tags: Politics, Republicans, Florida, FARK, Education, Stupidity, Civics, Government