How do we teach History?

Before you read on please read the attached article that I found on the Drudge report. It may take a minute but it's relevant to my point.

Texas Curriculum

First let me clearly state that I believe that history should be taught as realistically and honestly as it can be. There were some points in American History that no American should be proud of. There are some points in American History that we must learn from so that we never repeat. However, none of those times should in any way make us dislike or be anything less than proud to be an American. In spite of those particular eras this country has done more to better the entire world than any other single country in the recorded history of the world.

There should be no doubts in anyone's mind that the world is a better place because of American ideals, ingenuity, morals, and willingness to sacrifice for others.

In reading the article linked above, I noticed a very simple point. All of the democrats wished to point out how bad America has been. All of the republicans wished to glorify American history. Why are the democrats so determined to teach our children that we're bad? Why do we constantly hear from the democrats about how wrong we are? If you are looking to convince people that you need to change from what you are, you must first dislike what you are. This can be attributed to nothing else. If we are so ashamed of ourselves and dislike what we are then we must feel compelled to change. What should we change to? We can easily look at the proposed policies of the most left leaning leaders to see the direction of change in this country. It's clear. One Hundred percent of the left's policies are social programs that in some way provide more entitlements to the poor while handing the bill to the wealthy and upper-middle class. More importantly, in each of these policies the government further dictates and controls the citizens choice (freedom). This is pure socialism.

Now, to be fair I do believe that the republicans involved need to be careful to honestly include those low points in American history. I believe that we can teach our children about slavery and suffrage in a realistic manner so that they learn how bad these things were. I further believe that children can be taught in such a manner that they can be proud of those heroes who took up the fight to end such horrible things.

This great country was created to be different than England, Spain, and France. This great nation was intended to be free. This nation was not intended to be a nation of helpless receiving hand-outs from the government. Countless men and women have sacrificed both their fortunes and lives to preserve this different nation. How can we now revert back to the oppressive and controlling government structure that our great founders risked everything and freed themselves of?