Consider the first paragraph. Sam seems to question the reason for conservatives to "pretend to feel a harrowing sense of nostalgia for the 50's", in spite of having higher income tax rates than we currently pay. Do conservatives 'pretend' to be nostalgic for the 50's? Could the reason for the hope and happiness that the populace may have been feeling be simple relief to be out of war? Do liberals also 'pretend' to feel a sense of nostalgia for the 50's, or are liberals above such feelings and or pretensions?

Sam ended his second paragraph with this gem, "In conservative circles, expressing any doubt on this point has long been synonymous with Marxism." Salmo, I'm sure that you recognize his statement as hyperbole.

In a latter paragraph Sam speaks of the possible ruination of the United States and the woeful state of our education system. I might just surprise you here because I believe that the state of our educational system is poor and that our country is in fact headed in the wrong direction, however our cures would surely be different.
I believe that changes in our education system should be result driven. We have been constantly increasing funds spent on education but the results have been negative. Perhaps the answer is not as simple as just throw more money at the problem. And the simple thought that more money can cure all, is, well simple and untrue, and belief in such fallacies is why our country is headed in the wrong direction.

Sam's essay never does improve, it is a simple appeal to emotion using false cause, and straw men, liberally sprinkled with loaded words, phrases and yes hyperbole. I found very little logical order or reasoning in it, and little that I could relate to, let alone agree with.