Schoolkids react to the President’s speech

Sarah Loftus, 17:

Education is a matter that affects every single person in this country regardless of age, skin color, wealth, or political views, so why should this message be heard less clearly by people with opposing political views from Obama? It shouldn't. To say that his speech forced socialist ideas into students' minds is ludicrous. His speech addressed an important matter that all students across the country regardless of upbringing should have listened to and taken seriously.

Rachel Lubitz, 17:

What I would most like to applaud President Obama on is taking the time to look at this new generation from ages 5 to 18 and letting us know that he cares. Obama was also able to make the right wing news media whine and moan on for weeks and weeks about a speech about staying in school and succeeding. He made them look like overreacting schoolgirls jealous of the cheerleader with the quarterback boyfriend, and anyone who can do that has a friend in me.

Justin Jones, age 16:

Obama's speech was just dripping with socialist values, especially when he told kids "I hope you'll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.."

Oh, and the part about students setting goals for their education and asking for help when they worry they won't succeed? He is stealing the words right out of Karl Marx's mouth.

The main message — don't give up. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

In these hard times, there is no better advice that the president could give to children. Unless, of course, he tells them they better share all the profits they get from that lemonade.

Liz Nordlinger, 18:

[T]he country should be proud that we have a competent President who can talk to students without making mistakes and sounding like an idiot.

Awesome. More here.