Fact check: Marjorie Taylor Greene caught in bizarre lie
After President Biden’s well-received address to Congress and the American people Wednesday night, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) couldn’t refrain from making a false statement about Biden’s education plans. Greene, who is prone to conspiracy theories and apt to spread untruths, took to Twitter to say that “federally funded school from age 3 to 20 doesn’t sound like education, it sounds like indoctrination. All at your expense. By force in the form of taxes.” Despite having a degree from the University of Georgia, Greene doesn’t value or support education – a too-common theme in the QAnon party.
Education is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and thinking abilities, and it comes in various forms. In a secular context, education is not to be conflated with indoctrination. Greene, like many of her cohorts on the right, is fearful of an accurately informed populace. Greene is also wrong about who’ll pay for President Biden’s education plans. Even Fox News’ Chris Wallace acknowledged that Biden’s plan would be paid for by corporations and taxes on the wealthiest (those making in excess of $400,000 per annum). Lower- and middle-income Americans, the vast majority of the population, would not see tax increases in order to reap the myriad benefits of better access to education.
An educated society can help democracy and the economy thrive. A skilled and educated workforce is paramount to a successful economy and society, and it benefits more than just the richest few. Republicans know that more education, while a tremendous benefit to individuals and the country, means less support and tolerance for Republican views and policies. As Assata Shakur wrote, “No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that that knowledge will help set you free.” We know why Greene and her Republican cronies aren’t eager to equalize access to education.
