the bottomless pit

I've read several articles lately concerning the Gates Foundation and its plans to target higher education. I applaud the investment in learning that the Gates Foundation has made, and think that its money can be effectively used to improve our nation's colleges and universities. Unfortunately though, to date I don't believe that the Gates Foundation's funds have been well spent.

Sole investments in education in this country demonstrate narrow vision and backward thinking. More often than not, strong schools are a product of strong communities. Communities do continue to prosper and grow as a result of being able to boast good schools, but rarely does the emergence of a good school spark a socioeconomic upswing within a community.

I believe the Gates Foundation should continue to invest in education. However, I think it should take a more holistic stance on community development by investing in better hospitals, more effective police forces, more efficient energy consumption and opportunities for economic development to create climates in which education can thrive.