LeVar Burton knows quite a bit about teaching children to read, after putting in over 20 years as host of the PBS show “Reading Rainbow,” so it’s not surprising that he’s infuriated over GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s threat to cut funding for the channel.

During last night’s presidential debate, Romney stated that if he were elected, he would make some major budget cuts, including defunding PBS, which he seemed to consider a frivolous waste of money. Fans of the channel have been fighting back today, vowing to save Big Bird and his friends. One such ally is actor and TV host LevVar Burton, who told TMZ why he considers PBS to be worth saving.

“I am personally outraged that any serious contender for the White House would target as part of his campaign the children of America in this fashion.”

“Educators across the country, as well as millions of children and adults know that the programming on PBS has been responsible for significant improvements in education, literacy, math, science and life skills for generations of our children.”

“PBS represents .00016% of our nation’s budget, yet this free resource benefits kids across all economic circumstances.”

“Defunding PBS directly punishes the less fortunate by removing this trusted and extraordinary educational resource available to all.”

Burton makes a powerful case for continuing to fund PBS programs, because of the valuable part the channel plays in educating some of the nation’s neediest kids. He added:

“On behalf of America’s children, I can’t stay silent. I encourage you to join me in fighting this short-sighted and frankly mean-spirited attack on our children.”

You tell ‘em, LeVar!