[AClay47]

This morning, Neil Boortz discussed an interesting article by Mona Charen. She argued that many people should not vote, because they were uninformed. I won't copy her entite article, though it is interesting. You can read it by clicking on the following link: Stay Home; Don't Vote. Ms. Charen focused on a survey published recently by the Cato Institute. Here are some of its findings:

"Seventy percent of voters apparently were completely unaware of the fact that the federal government adopted a huge prescription drug benefit as part of Medicare during the term of President Bush. Fully 65 percent did not know that the government had passed a ban on partial birth abortions. Some 58 percent acknowledged that they knew little or nothing about the Patriot Act (a figure Somin argues persuasively is probably low-ball). Sixty-one percent thought, incorrectly, that there had been a net job loss in 2004. Only 32 percent were aware that Social Security is one of the two largest expenditure areas in the federal government. Only 25 percent could correctly state that the Bush administration does not believe Saddam Hussein was involved in the Sept. 11 attacks. Only 22 percent knew that the current unemployment rate is lower than the average for the past 30 years. In the election of 2002, only 32 percent of voters knew that the Republican Party controlled the House."

To me, the study established an utter failure by the national media to properly inform the public. Perhaps our "Free Press" has chosen to be "Worthless" as well?

Boortz argued that uninformed voters should not vote. Do you agree? It could be argued that uninformed voters properly exercise their vote by supporting a political party, whom they trust with their franchise. Straight ticket voting, it could be argued, is support for the principles of a Party, so knowledge of particulars is unimportant.

Still, it is unsettling to think that the future of our Republica may be determikned by people who are clueless about the issues confronting us.

You can visit Neil Boortz's home page at: http://boortz.com/nuze/index.html

 

[Sangrun Hunter]

I answered how can someone know they are uninformed.

The reason for this is old media is so bad at reporting things and often leaves details out. We have seen so much crap come from the media this year that is raises a whole new set of issues concerning voter information.

I myself like to think I am informed, but I take so much time every day to read through news sites like Drudge and message forums.

BTW: Townhall is a great place to get a different message than the old media.

 

[Custer]

Stupid people don't know enough to know they are stupid.

I just always hope stupid people are also lazy so they don't bother to vote.

 

[gordon gauge]

Excellent question AClay.

You continue to amaze me with your insightful and thought provoking posts.

Of course we can't do that, but the "Adolf" in me was quite pleased to consider the concept.

It's ironic that folks have to prove ability at the wheel to get a license to drive, but for something far more important, all they need is an address and a pulse.

Thank goodness the internet has given access to the facts to so many potential voters on both sides of any issue.

The days of the liberal media elite shoving their agenda down our throats is pretty much gone, although in my mind this election may still be down to the wire because of the left wing bias. God help us if the Dark Side prevails. GG

 

[AClay47]

Thank you for your kind words, Gordon.

Really, we all face the question on election day. Perhaps, it is a race between several candidates for County Commissioner. There are minor races, where information is scarce, so do we decline to vote, vote party, or vote by chance?

 

[gordon gauge]

Personally, I only vote on issues or races that I have a clue about. The sad fact is there is so much disinformation pummeled at us every day that you could spend a forty hour week on each vote. Yikes. GG

 

[Grendeljaeger]

I listen to local talk radio here in Denver and I'm amazed how ill informed people can be and how faulty their thought processes are. My poor daughter had to listen to my "rants" all her life but I think now that she is in college she is glad she was exposed to politics at the dinner table. You'd think that every one had a vested interest in knowing the issues and where the candidates stand, but many just want to get that beer after work and zone out. It is a sad situation. Thankfully many of them don't vote, as rarely do more than 50% of eligable voters vote.

 

[gordon gauge]

When I retire, if that day ever comes, I'll spend more time researching the issues and hopefully have an informed opinion on every issue. The County of San Diego sample ballot and voter information pamphlet has about two dozen things to vote on including who is gonna run the United States of America. That one is a no-brainer, but the others have several pages of pros and cons about each one. Yeah, I could quit running my company and spend a couple of weeks figuring out who is lying and which way to vote. Thats not gonna happen cause I have to put food on the table and provide jobs for five other people. So I'll do the best I can. GG

 

[maxim.semyonov]

i argue against boortz, let them vote based on what they hear, it is their right! the media is one expensive beast that only the richest candidate can control, so it stands to reason that it's this candidate who will control the majority vote even without the media.

 

[maxim.semyonov]

Stupid people don't know enough to know they are stupid.

I just always hope stupid people are also lazy so they don't bother to vote.

agree there.