Look at it this way: America is doing well (without the war the budget would almost balance).

Does it matter that many of the people in the country are very, very ignorant? As long as they can do their jobs and are happy everything else is merely icing.

As has been said, being on the receiving end of the "brain drain" means that the sall number of clever people is maintained.

Or you could do what the UK does:

1) Throw money at education. If it costs more, it must be better, right?
2) Masses of exams. That helps learning!
3) Increase the number of high grades. Ignore independant experts who say standards are in freefall.
4) If they're failing at 15, keep as many as possible in school until they're 21.