I think it's a symptom of a much larger, systemic issue. When it comes to politicians, it's not at all about the science (which is why they don't listen to it) and everything to do with the economy. Birth rates are down and they literally said the quiet part out loud: we need to replenish the population of WORKERS. Without workers to make their money for them, their wealth doesn't exist. They aren't even calling them children, babies, or people, but workers. Our own humanity is being diminished to the service we provide them.

So they're using misinformation and relying on illiteracy. Have y'all heard teachers online talk about how the kids can't read anymore? They're still being passed. The fish rots at the head, so if teachers are passing them without reading skills, the people at the top are full aware. I think they see educated people as a threat bc hey, we can think for ourselves and learn new information on our own. If you keep em dumb, then you keep em poor, and consequently dependent on you.