Now that kids are going back to school for the year, the President thought it would be prudent to deliver a feel-good speech to kids about the value of education, in face of startling statistics about school dropouts. His plans haven’t been well-received, though. Derek Thompson, writing for The Atlantic, calls the reaction an “automated controversy,” saying “The controversy isn’t that Obama has announced something controversial, but rather than he’s announced something. Full stop.” Colorado mom Shanneen Barron says “I’m an American. They are Americans, and I don’t feel that’s OK. I feel very scared to be in this country with our leadership right now.” Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer said, “As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama’s socialist ideology,” calling the speech “an invasive abuse of power.”

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs called this silly season, pointing out that Reagan and Bush Senior both gave similar, non-partisan speeches without anyone batting an eye, or even really caring at all.

In response, Fox News has released an alternate lesson plan, pointing out that the Obama children attend a $29,000/year private school and asking children to discuss topics like “What choices, if any, should other parents have about where their children go to school and about how to pay for educating their children?,”  “When elected officials pass laws should they and their staffs also be obliged to follow those same laws or should they be exempt?,” “If an elected or appointed public official breaks the law what should be done about that?,” and “What do you think about giving some students special preferences in admitting them to schools or awarding them money or prizes: what guidelines do you suggest?”

CNN includes this helpful statistic, too: “‘Ninety percent of Americans who identify with the president’s party approve of him, but 85 percent of those who belong to the opposition party disapprove,’ said Keating Holland, CNN’s polling director.” 90% of those who support the president support him, but 85% of those who oppose him oppose him. Sure, I’m taking some unjust liberties in restating her statistic, but it seems absurd either way. Perhaps the term “opposition party” is part of the problem? Why can’t we have a party that happens to have slightly more representation than the other, and a party that’s nearly as big that’s helping to keep America great, too?