Over on the other side, Mr/Ms Truth In Action has posted a link to a CBS News editorial in which Morgan Spurlock, author of "Supersize Me," tells viewers to ignore the newsmen, pitchmen and other assorted media-whores who tell you Americans are increasingly polarized over political issues. "The truth is," he says, "the majority of us are camped out somewhere in the middle."
And that's true enough, as far as it goes. But the rest of that truth is the vast majority of us don't vote, particularly during mid-term elections. We wonder whether that means most voters are too lazy to vote , or just too ignorant to cast an intelligent ballot.During the 2004 midterms, only 37 percent of eligible voters got off their lazy butts and went to the polls. In 1998, the number was even smaller - just 36.8 percent voted. That's a pitiful number, considering all the American flags and "support or troops" decals we see pasted on car windows, and all the so-called "patriotic" bumper-stickers on huge, fuel-sucking cars. If you want to be patriotic, then vote. It's the most patriotic thing American's can do.
And contrary to what Mr/Ms Truth and Mr. Spurlock tell you, we think you should listen to the loudmouths pitching their candidates and issues. They are the ones framing the issues and questions you should consider before waltzing into the polls to cast your vote. They are the ones framng the issues that candidates will address when they are elected. Make no mistake; what you hear and see in the political arena is propaganda, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's not true. It simply means it's information cobbled together to present a position or argument in its best light. So listen to that information and combine it with the information you already know, and then decide which candidate best serves your needs, the interests of your community and the interests of America in the world arena. These are the people who will make decisions on planning your town's future, which in turn, will determine the value of your home, of if you can or should continue farming, or if you'll be able to afford to send your kids to college, or of you're going to be able to afford medical care now or in the future, or if you sons and daughters should be sacrificed in order to win the war on terrorism, or if the government should continue to secretly have access to your financial information.
Voting is perhaps the most important duty we have as Americans. Who we elect impacts our job security, our financial, retirement and medical futures, our children's future ability have a fruitful career, own a home and be sheltered from those who would suspend our constitutional freedoms liberties in the name of "national security." The future... Your future, and your family's future depends upon how you do or do not vote. And in order to pick the candidate of your choice, you need to know and understand the issues that are important you and to elected officials. Don't let anyone tell you not to listen, read or learn about the issues, because a vote cast in ignorance or blind faith is as bad as no vote at all.
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11 comments:
Oh, there's no doubt that I'm better than Rush or little Annie Fannie... I'm better because I think and I don't lie. Ann Coulter is the classic media whore. The only thing she has going for her is that she's physically attractive.... And you know she can't really believe that crap she's selling, so she's selling her integrity and her looks.... that makes her a whore.... as a matter of fact, I'm better than you too because you posted your poisonous words without addressing my comments. That could only be because you didn't understand them, or couldn't think well enough to posed a considered perspective.
well.... don't let me slow down your superior intellect. Quote chapter and verse please.
Ah.... it may seem like a valid argument until you dissect the sub-text, which is to "ignore all those news analysts, political scientists, and top party officials with their fingers on the pulse of process... ignore those who know what issues will shape the midterm and general elections..... you just don't worry your pretty little head about any of that and go with what you know."
And that's so comforting -- like hot chocolate and chicken soup on a cold winter day.... it kind of brings to mind a nostalgia for the "good old days." It's also the same tactic that Reagan used in the 1980 elections. He told the electorate not to worry and marketed himself as everyone's kindly old grandpa, who had simple answers to everything. And the voters bought that line of crap. So here we are 26 years later, with a generation of voters who were children when Reagan was in office and they get the warm-and-fuzzies believing our government is going to take care of everything for us, just like daddy would do. And they want to be told not to worry about anything, and not to listen to any troubling words, that "daddy" will fix anything..... It was a marketing ploy then, and it's a lie now to lull voters into not asking questions or holding anyone accountable for the issues this country faces now and in the immediate future.
no... not me... I'm married and never even look at other women. But I've heard some people think she's cute.
see... looky here y'all, here's a man who is beginning to see the light.... here is a man who has the capacity to turn away from the darkness and toward the light... can I get an Amen... I say, can I get an Amen?
Excuse me, PP. Did you actually say you couldn't watch the video. but that Spurlock was right?
If you didn't watch the video, then how do you know he's right?
PP.... have you stopped taking your medicine?
"It's always easy to pick on the new kids because they're easy targets."
Relative to Integrity Matters, I'm the new kid.
Hmmm. I don't recall ever saying, or even intimating I'm intelligent, so that intimation must be yours. And I thank you for it.
Beyond that, I have no bone to pick with Mr/Ms Truth. As a matter of fact, I know them and consider them both very dear friends.
That said, you must keep in mind that is an academic/intellectual exercise in debate, argument, and analytical thinking. It is not a fight between chimpanzees where we sling feces at one another.
If you go back and read my post and then read Mr/Ms Truth's post, you'll see that Mr/Ms Truth adopted a policy statement using Spurlock's comments as an example. I, in turn, dissected and analyzed that policy statement, and argued that Spurlock's position is counter-productive to the American democratic process....now will you take your medicine... please?
7:29 AM
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