Mathematics is one of humanity's great achievements

Mathematics is one of humanity’s great achievements. By enhancing the capabilities of the human mind, mathematics has facilitated the development of science, technology, engineering, business, and government. Mathematics is also an intellectual achievement of great sophistication and beauty that epitomizes the power of deductive reasoning. For people to participate fully in society, they must know basic mathematics. Citizens who cannot reason mathematically are cut off from whole realms of human endeavor. Innumeracy deprives them not only of opportunity but also of competence in everyday tasks.

[...]

Mathematics is a universal, utilitarian subject—so much a part of modern life that anyone who wishes to be a fully participating member of society must know basic mathematics.Mathematics also has a more specialized, esoteric, and esthetic side. It epitomizes the beauty and power of deductive reasoning. Mathematics embodies the efforts made over thousands of years by every civilization to comprehend nature and bring order to human affairs.

Mathematical illiteracy is crippling.