I have really been thinking a lot lately about America and what it stands for and represents. As I listen and watch and participate in my community I can’t help but believe our country has already gone down a path that it can never recover from. Simultaneously, I realize that many in this country believe that America is finally progressing in a direction that is acceptable to them. I respect that opinion.
What I can’t respect is what I believe to be almost total ignorance and apathy by the majority of the population in America. This may seem extremely presumptuous and arrogant on my part, but this is my experience. Let me give some examples and then you can tell me where I am wrong. I have had several discussions with associates, friends, and family about recent political issues. Some of these include cap-and-trade, the deficit, the bailouts, health care reform, etc. I am astounded at the almost total lack of understanding of these extremely important issues.
This “rant” isn’t about Republican vs Democrats at all. It is about understanding the issues. When I talk with someone about cap-and-trade I will ask the simple question – What is cap-and-trade? What is its purpose? How will this affect you and why do you feel it will affect you in this way? I get blank stares. Sometimes I get talking points from differing political party’s rhetoric of the day. What I rarely get is a sensible, well thought out response. I think that is sad. I believe our country has an incurable case of A.D.D. where we take our political cues from a 30 second sound bite on the way home from work. Real understanding of issues and responsibility to vote our desires BASED ON UNDERSTANDING is diminished to the point of no return. We are a society that votes based on who markets themselves the best, or if a person is in a certain party. What happened to understanding the issues.
If you can’t answer the following questions with a modicum of accuracy then why are you voting for someone that will make these decisions for you?
What is cap-and-trade? Why will it hurt the economy, or why don’t you think it will hurt the economy?
What is our national debt now? What is it projected to be in 2,5,10 years? How does this affect you? Why is being in debt a bad thing? (I am completely floored by the lack of solid answer to this question in particular). No wonder no one cares if government spends our way to bankruptcy. Almost no one understands what this really means for our country.
What is the difference between spending and investing in America? What is our current administration doing? Is our fiscal policy sustainable? Why or why not? If not, then why are we pursuing that course?
How does debt and monetary policy affect the dollar and inflation, and why is this SUPER important. Again, almost no one can answer these basic questions.
What will be the result of the current health care reform bill on privatized institutions?
Who are your Senators/Congressman? What are their stances on these issues?
How will increasing or decreasing taxes affect you directly? Is history on your side? What administrations supported your belief and were successful? What are the parallels from today and the past?
The questions go on and on – social issues, financial issues, political issues, foreign policy, trade, etc, etc etc.
So many citizens of this great country have given up so much to give us the freedom to make choices to take this country in whatever direction we want. We need to at least have the fortitude to understand the consequences of our actions and vote accordingly. Everyone has opinions. I don’t care which side of the argument you fall on, but PLEASE pick a side based on research and understanding, not party line talking points. I hope America can reverse its trend of ignorance and apathy, but there is little proof to give me hope.
Matt Heaton / Bluehost.com