A short speech by Tom (delivered at a Wayne State University meet-and-greet) thanking Sonny and arguing for prioritizing education that teaches students how to think rather than indoctrinating them. Tom emphasizes the lack of critical thinking on college campuses, the need to prepare the next generation for workforce or further study, and the long-term stakes (10–50 years) because today’s students will become tomorrow’s policymakers. He also states his candidacy for the United States Congress and mentions Sonny is running for the Wayne State Board.
Chapters
Tonight, it's about Sonny and his effort to do what he thinks is important, to leave a legacy behind for the people who send their kids, for the students, for the parents, for everybody else associated with Wayne State University and what it's going to take to make sure that we prepare the next generation for their lives. Not to indoctrinate our kids, not to tell them what to think, but tell them how to think. And the critical thinking that is so lacking today on our universities and college campuses. Kids aren't being afforded the opportunity to really learn about what it is for critical thinking to prepare them for their next stage in life, whatever that looks like in the workforce, whether they're going on to a further degree somewhere else or whatever it is that they choose to do. Here in America, you get to decide and control your own destiny. That's something that we all embrace and celebrate. I'm running for the United States Congress. Sonny's running for the Wayne State Board. All of these things matter. All these things have an impact because if we don't educate our kids the right way, it doesn't matter what we do in this year's election. It matters about the 10 year, the 20 year and the 50 year long game from now, because they're going to be the policymakers of tomorrow. So we have to invest in what it takes on the front end to make sure that we do these things right. So I couldn't be more proud of you, Sonny. Really appreciate your friendship that we've been able to develop over this. I consider you a great friend, a great ally, a great men. Thank you.
