Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. 

The quote is from the Ordinance of 1787, commonly known as the Northwest Ordinance, drafted originally by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Continental Congress in that year.

WRFA reported on Joe’s speech.

“On the topic of what the federal government can do to help students who are two to three years behind after the Pandemic, Sempolinski said it’s something all of society needs to on work together:”

“Whether it’s the federal government setting broad policy. Obviously, much of what happens in education is a state and local issue which is where it should be, frankly, constitutionally. That should be in the province of the state of New York and the other states and, most importantly, with the parents, and with the local officials on the ground. Those are who should be taking the lead on education but it’s something we all need to work on together to make sure we don’t leave behind an entire generation.”

I approve when Joe Sempolinski talks about working together rather than fighting with each other.

“Sempolinski said when it comes to child care, that the federal government should do things within its purview that have a good return on investment:”

“What we’re talking about here is people trying to do the right thing, right? They’re trying to go work. They’re trying to come into one of your businesses and be a productive employee and maybe what’s holding them back is that they have some sort of childcare issue or other issue at home. All right, maybe that’s something where we can, as the government, as the society, help those folks out because then they’re going to be working. They’re going to be paying taxes. They’re going to be a productive member of society.”

I think we might better address the affordability of childcare because it is the right thing to do.

“Sempolinski said more emphasis needs to be put on the skilled trades when it comes to addressing workforce development issues.”

I find it dishonest when Joe Sempolinski, who was a graduate student at Yale, suggests that others skip college. When Thomas Jefferson wrote about the importance of “religion, morality, and knowledge,” I doubt he was thinking of trade school.