Shakira and Education?

I admit it. I've not heard a single Shakira song or seen a single Shakira video before today. (But when I did YouTube just now, I recognized that video with some Indian dance theme - I've seen it before somewhere). Anyways, it seems this woman is a Pop Sensation. She's originally from Colombia. If that's all I knew about her, I would have ignored her - like I did until this evening.

I happened to listen to NPR when she was interviewed. She was talking about some education evangelism she's into. 'Photo Op', I dismissed it. And then she started really talking about what she's out to do, why and all the relevant stats, and I was taken quite aback. I certainly did not expect that clarity of articulation or the sophistication from a pop diva. Hillary Clinton would have been proud of that interview.

Today Shakira went before the US Congress to lobby for a legislation called "Education for All Act of 2007". Fantastic, I thought - given this Congress' reputation, only a Shakira belly dance can get their attention toward some important issue!

But wait! Listen to this:

"The measure would provide 10 billion dollars over five years to help poor nations implement strong, accountable national education plans designed to provide a quality basic education for all their children".

So basically 10 Billion Dollars of US tax-payer money to be distributed to poor nations so that they can improve their education systems.

That doesn't sound right to me. Doesn't the US' very own (public) education system SUCK? Hello?!! Isn't the governarator of California cutting Education spending left, right and center? Aren't US school children ranking in 3 digits in Math and Science among the countries of the world?

I hope this Bill doesn't pass.

Don't get me wrong. I am all for philanthropy. I do it myself, especially for educational causes. But that's the way it should be: private philanthropy can fund foreign educational programs. That's why there are all those Billionaire Dogooder Foundations.

The US Govt. must get its act together and fix the education system of this country first.