Rick Santorum tells Glenn Beck that colleges are "indoctrination mills." Isn't he thinking of churches?

"I fear smart people. And so should you."

Courtesy of CBS News:

In an hour-long interview with conservative television host Glenn Beck, Santorum also defended his record on abortion and his vote in favor of President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind education law. 

On the president's efforts to boost college attendance, Santorum said, "I understand why Barack Obama wants to send every kid to college, because of their indoctrination mills, absolutely ... The indoctrination that is going on at the university level is a harm to our country." 

He claimed that "62 percent of kids who go into college with a faith commitment leave without it," but declined to cite a source for the figure. And he floated the idea of requiring universities that receive public funds have "intellectual diversity" on campus.

I have the feeling that Santorum's version of "intellectual diversity" means setting up college courses to teach students to stop listening to university professors and to instead get their education from religious leaders and priests. ("Don't think, believe!")

In some ways I almost have to agree with Santorum that people who are raised with a religious background DEFINITELY question their beliefs and preconceived notions once they are introduced to a wider range of facts and ideas.

However where we part ways is that I believe that any idea, or faith, which cannot stand up to scrutiny is one not worth embracing. (A point of view that I share with a certain founder of an alternative religion than one supported by Santorum too by the way.)

We have long known that Republicans are of the mind that education is an anti-conservative plot, but Santorum is just more blunt about voicing that opinion out loud. You know, where sane people can hear him.

That is why the conservatives are always trying to strip public schools of much needed funding while promoting the idea of vouchers and religious home schooling options.

That way they can ensure that the public stays ignorant enough to actually believe the bullshit they are selling them.

I think the point that Rick "Frothy Mixture" Santorum is making is this, "Smart, well educated people don't vote Republican."

And on that point he and I are in full agreement.

Gee, maybe miracles do happen!