05-05-2011, 04:24 AM
Hi,
This bothers me. I don't believe that people should be forced to pay attention to politics. Indeed, I don't even think some people *could* pay attention to politics even if threatened.
Indeed, the people who do not pay attention to politics may not be stupid. However, if they don't realize that by not paying attention and still voting, they are being someone's patsies, then they are stupid. Or if they don't realize that if their apathy extends to not voting, they are letting others determine the government under which they live, then they are stupid.
It is only the people who do not pay attention to politics in full understanding of the effects of that attitude who are not stupid. And I'm sure there is such a person out there, somewhere.
I've said it before, I'll keep it short this time. The vote should be earned. And when used, it should be used correctly -- as a measure of the voter's informed opinion and not as a mindless regurgitation of some group's agenda.
There needs to be a distinction between those who are willing and able to accept the responsibility of running a country (citizens) and those who only wish to reap the benefits of living there (legal residents). Just how this is to be done is a difficult matter.
--Pete
(05-04-2011, 10:51 PM)Gnollguy Wrote: Politics is an area when many people don't want to think, ...
It's not that these people are stupid.
In fact it can be a good strategy to not apply too much energy to an area ...
This bothers me. I don't believe that people should be forced to pay attention to politics. Indeed, I don't even think some people *could* pay attention to politics even if threatened.
Indeed, the people who do not pay attention to politics may not be stupid. However, if they don't realize that by not paying attention and still voting, they are being someone's patsies, then they are stupid. Or if they don't realize that if their apathy extends to not voting, they are letting others determine the government under which they live, then they are stupid.
It is only the people who do not pay attention to politics in full understanding of the effects of that attitude who are not stupid. And I'm sure there is such a person out there, somewhere.
I've said it before, I'll keep it short this time. The vote should be earned. And when used, it should be used correctly -- as a measure of the voter's informed opinion and not as a mindless regurgitation of some group's agenda.
There needs to be a distinction between those who are willing and able to accept the responsibility of running a country (citizens) and those who only wish to reap the benefits of living there (legal residents). Just how this is to be done is a difficult matter.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?