Originally Posted By TomSawyer Bring it on 2oonman. You'll go down faster than a iasw boat full of LPers.
Originally Posted By gadzuux I think this is due to genetics and environment. Stupid people rearing stupid kids. Also living in a home/community that places no emphasis on basic knowledge. I don't think it's about the schools. The information is out there and available, but you have to actually show up and you have to actually pay attention. If someone is motivated to learn and understand the world around them, it's never been easier to get access to knowledge. But I can't see educated and savvy parents tolerating their children not having a basic understanding of their own government. These problem people are likely located in pockets of deep poverty and ignorance - and mostly in the south - where expectations are low. And if you're a numbskull who doesn't know even the basics of our country and our universe, you aren't affiliating with people who have this fundamental knowledge. Your friends and family are right there with you. I don't know what there is to be done about this, but I think maybe there should be some kind of proficiency test before you're eligible to vote.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Did you know that about half of all nuclear power plants have below-average safety records?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>If someone is motivated to learn and understand the world around them, it's never been easier to get access to knowledge. << True, but I don't know that there's ever been a time when in order to access that knowledge and information, one has had to wade through such a bottomless swamp of half-truths, misinformation, lies, damned lies and the O'Reilly Factor.
Originally Posted By hopemax I'm not really a fan of proficiency tests for voters, but I am starting to wonder about some sort of test for elected officials. And not just civics. Michele Bachmann provides several great examples, but here is one. In the hearings about global warming she said that CO2 could NOT be dangerous to the environment because it is natural occurring. I'm guessing then she also doesn't believe in lead or mercury poisoning, the dangers of carbon monoxide or radon gas, uranium exposure etc. Or she thinks that these are man made? It's not as easy to just dismiss Bachmann as one of the "fringe," because she's one of the 536 people (100 + 435 + President) who actually decides what does and doesn't get done. Her voice and opinion actually matters. Throw in a few more like her, the ones out for personal profit, the ones out to protect the interests of certain corporate groups, and how many of the 536 have a good grasp of the concepts, an interest in learning about the concepts, and a willingness to actually do something.
Originally Posted By DAR <<I don't know what there is to be done about this, but I think maybe there should be some kind of proficiency test before you're eligible to vote.>> A rare occurrence in which we agree, though I'm sure we'll disagree who to vote for in the majority of these circumstances.
Originally Posted By DAR <<Did you know that about half of all nuclear power plants have below-average safety records?>> They have their best people working there. <a href="http://leastprocrastinate.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/simp200.jpeg" target="_blank">http://leastprocrastinate.file...200.jpeg</a>
Originally Posted By Tiggirl <<We also live in a world where mouth-breathing culinary midgets think popcorn is a better snack than churros.>> I've missed TS!! ~Beth
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "Do these people also believe that the world is flat and you can sail off the edge??" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkrkaH_V7fE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...kaH_V7fE</a>
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "I think 99% of Americans think the world revolves around them." 99% of Americans are selfish. Are you? Or are you in the 1% that isn't?
