House Republican Leader Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) must apologize to the nation's students and their teachers for his failure to distinguish between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. I am sure his remarks were prepared by a staffer and I am sure those remarks were approved by Boehner's Chief of Staff. Nevertheless, the fact that a nationally-known political figure, one who claims to lead his political party, could not recognize what was wrong with his remarks before he delivered them to both a crowd and cameras is a distinct failure of his education. His failure lays question as to whether he is as educated about our political institutions and history as a typical American eighth grader, many (and perhaps most) of whom- as a requirement of their states- have or will soon have passed a test on said institutions and history.
That a major political leader in this country would be so ignorant of the differences in language, tone and purpose of two essential documents of American political philosophy- that he would have in his employ staff members entrusted to know the difference, but do not- is unconscionable. That his remarks will be broadcast to the country- no, the whole world via cable television- very likely without comment as to his failure of education will be a stain on the efforts of all students and their teachers to KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
If Congressman Boehner were a private citizen, his mistake could be excused and shrugged-off with an "oops." But he is not a private citizen, he is a leader of a political party and a political movement that is responsible for the disaster to constitutional government that was the Bush administration. He is a leader of a political party and a political movement that stands in opposition to the President, often accusing him of un-American beliefs and actions.
He must apologize.