Use "intelligent design" against the Republicans

[brentspeak]

Unbelievably, my lunatic Republican congressman, Scott Garrett (NJ-5th), advocates the teaching of "intelligent design" in NJ classrooms.

Unfortunately, the people of my traditionally Republican district can't seem to look past the fact that Garrett always promises to lower their taxes (though he doesn't broadcast the fact that he wants all services cut as a result).

But here's something the Democratic candidate, Paul Aronsohn, should point out to the voters here -- and it's something that I urge you to pass along to your own local Democratic candidates, if their Republican opponents are pushing for "intelligent design" in the classroom:

Colleges and universities don't think very highly of public school districts that teach their students the completely unscientific "intelligent design" dogma. When a college admissions committee has to decide between two relatively equal applicants, one who comes from an "intelligent design" school district, and another who doesn't, who do you think they might take? That goes double, triple, quadruple for the elite schools.

The message Democratic candidates should broadcast is this: Vote for the Republican, and your son or daughter may not get into the college or university of their choice.

That's a message that is guaranteed to grab the attention of most parents -- even Republican parents -- proud of their local school district's academic reputation.

[Kagemusha]

1. Um, I'm not sure that's the way to phrase it.

What you're raising is the spectre of widespread religious discrimination against people of faith or people who are taught the educational programs of people of faith. This might be completely, literally true, but I'm not sure that's the best way to phrase it. Pardon my abundance of caution.

[LostInAnomie]

2. I don't think college is a huge concern for the bulk of the ID crowd.

I could hear their response now: "Universities are a haven for godlessness! We should withhold funding until they give equal class time to ID!"

For the rest of the rational people out there it would probably work though.

[Demeter]

3. If You Add that Employers Don't Pay Those Who Go for ID

then you might get some traction. There's only so many fools can support the ignorant in their preachifying. You wouldn't believe how many useless Bible "colleges" there are in this country, turning out minimum-wage drones.