Nicely put, Max. The market-place approach to what should be a civic affair - public education - is truly poison for democracy. 
And Bahram, I think you're right in pointing out Max's good demolishing skills, and the lack of "construction". But I'd put it this way: Max, I'm consistently turned off by the cool, over-sober tone in our pieces. Although it's certainly implied, the "should" is always overshadowed by the daunting, inevitable "is"/"will be". This is the problem I have with most political commentators, who maintain a cool, faux-objectivity by leaving out value judgements, and stick to a "this is what we'll see"/"that won't ever happen" stance. It gives the illusion of detached impartiality, but comes off as pessimistic determism. Instead of "depressingly unlikely" you might as well have written, "This is what ought to happen, but it ain't gonna." 
 
Anyway, just a thought. 
Matt

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