Do you believe that Americans are ignorant?

Question

I know I'm going to get a lot of bashing for this but it will be comical.

I do live in the state of NY and with the elections coming up, I have been speaking with people about it. Some are really smart and knowledgable but most are completely ignorant to a point that they don't even know the history of their own country. Its quite sad if you ask me. I can see people being ignorant in 3rd world countries as they lack resources such as internet, money to buy books, no libraries available to read and do research, no tv etc etc

But here people have everything. Yeah time is a constraint but I see that when people have free time to read something, they'd rather read about celeb gossips over anything informative. Why is that? Shouldn't they care about their country more? Care about what is going on? What they can do as citizens so they dont make ignorant decisions when voting?

Answer 1

Yes I do.

I've heard so many people telling me they're voting for Obama because he's "cool" or "handsome".  It's like the election is voting for American Idol or something else as trivial.

Expanding the voting age to allow 18 year olds to vote was a big mistake in my opinion.

Answer 2

I'm not ignorant.

Answer 3

While I agree the education system in America is lacking, I wouldn't go so far as to call Americans ignorant.  A lot I know are extremely intelligent and smart thinkers.  

All countries that have celebrities follow the gossip behind them.

And not all countries have perfect voting records, not even the countries that force you to vote by law.

Answer 4

I think the easy answer to your question is complacency.  Americans have become so accustomed to our conveniences and status among the world that we almost think we're entitled to something.  

Our schools and parents lack in teaching our countries history.  Ask kids today about capitals of states or major countries, they don't know.  Most education is focused on math and English-though that's not real good either among most people.  

People, in general, would rather be entertained by celebs, sports, musicians, etc.  than actually read or study subjects-especially politics or economics.  But most people will come up with excuses and vote for people without knowing why.  They get locked up in the hysteria of the news and hype or just the promise of "change" or something new.  Yeah, that never works out as well as one would hope.

Answer 5

I believe that public schooling has a lot to do with the dumbing down of America.

You have school districts that are teaching agenda's rather than teaching reading, writing, math,history, you know, the basics.

As an example, some schools have covertly shown "An Inconvenient Truth" with absolutely no opposing views that might give students an opportunity to balance the information. That might allow the process of decision making to come into play, and that just wouldnt do.

When graduation time rolls around, test scores are reduced in order to help these students to pass so they can "graduate".

This is but one reason I can see. Another responder pointed out how "celebrity" is force fed to the masses by the media. People would really rather watch American Idol than educate themselves on current events or learn how to make decisions that will impact their lives for the better, or worse.

Answer 6

Yeah many many many many many Americans are ignorant to politics and the whole scheme of things. But most other countries have the same type of thing.

Answer 7

Yes and yes.  They are easily swayed by media propaganda.  They treat elections like they are popularity contests that should be based on a person's skin color or gender.   I've heard it said on the radio that "Obama will present a good image to the world"  What is that supposed to mean?  And how does that explain to me what he stands for and what he plans to do for Americans?  If it comes down to "good image," I'd rather have Denzel Washington than Obama in there.  As for Clinton, she is just a dried out waffle without substance or brains.  I'm not as "politically experienced" and she thinks she is, but I sure can say that I called Iraq for what it was the instant I heard about it, not years and years later.  (I no longer harp on the idea that we shouldn't be in Iraq, because wake up America we are there and how our next President choses to resolve that can of worms requires more than an "image" and more than a "waffle.")  I must reassure you that while a lot of Americans take political commercials to heart, there are many Americans out there who will reasearch their candidates and use their unbiased intellect to make a decision as to which candidate deserves their vote.  

I do enjoy the celeb tidbits and all pop culture has to offer here and again, but I'm more of a PBS, book reading, library nerd.

Answer 8

The truth is that we have been through h**l and back since 911,then Iraq ,bad leader ship . some peoples are just  trying to ,make thing better and are confuse.

Answer 9

If people vote for a candidate without getting all of the facts, that is ignorance.

If they vote because they feel he/she stands for something he/she doesn't, that's being misinformed.

either way, my feeling is that no one should vote unless they are well informed about both their candidates stance on issues and character.

Answer 10

Just exactly what do you judge to be evidence of ignorance?  There are lots of people on this forum who consider anyone not agreeing with them to be ignorant - as if there is only one possible point of view or conclusion - theirs and their alone.  

So if someone did not know who was running or where the candidates stood on important issues, I might consider those people ignorant.  But if someone does not believe Obama is a Muslim or that Clinton has had people killed, then they would be labeled ignorant by the wackos that do.

Answer 11

yes beyond a shadow of a doubt. Look they are trying to elect a muslim president: need i say more

Answer 12

I totally agree with Kyription.

I think since america has been like on the top for some years, now it seems to be going down though. We are kind of expected by other countries to be perfect.. when at the end of the day we are just any other country. And every country has a bad side and a good side

Answer 13

People are the same everywhere. There's plenty of dumb "rednecks" in Europe, Canada, Japan, etc.

Answer 14

Most are very ignorant of global culture and international affairs.

As most also are ignorant of how government really works above-board and behind closed doors.

Most are ignorant of world history and even the history of America.

Overall, most Americans are less informed, less exposed and less traveled than those in the international community.

Answer 15

USA till now has been the first power, this feeling make people be lazy and do not care a lot about the whole world, but not everybody,because the eltie from US are really smart, not always good people but smart for sure.

Like all around the World a lot of people in US are not only ignorant but also foolish,lazy greedy and more...all around the world the same.

People from US is from New England who came from North Europe and people from all around the world and with many good things too, if not why till today first power in the World?

Also some people know...but they pretend to be fool.

US needs a change...for better and soon.

Answer 16

YES!!  PROBABLY NOT ALL BUT, MEET A FEW

Answer 17

I have met Americans here on internet and most of them are very nice, it is interesting that African Americans more understand me, they are more objective than the others.

Some of Americans more bring about country where they come than for USA, Greek Americans are very nasty towards us Macedonians, they ignore fact that USA have been accepted us with our real name Republic of Macedonia, it is interesting that they are more nasty than Greeks who live in Greece.

I have met only one American in reality, she worked in obse, she behaved very arrogant with us, she was very care ful, she didn't tell own opinion for anything, she behave like with scary with us and like with enemies or savages.

Answer 18

Yes. Most are. However it is ignorant to believe an entire country can be ignorant. Many are but there are some as there are in any country who are down to earth, and educated.

Answer 19

People have a ton of distractions in their lives.  As you get older and have more responsibilities, there are more distractions.  You have kids that require your time and attention. Their schools want 12 different things from you each week.  Your boss is yelling at you for 10 things.  Your spouse needs things from you.  Taking care of the house requires your attention.  You need to take your pet for a walk 3 times a day.  The car needs to have the oil changed.  You have a 2 hour commute to and from work.  Your doctor wants you to go to the gym for an hour a day.

I guess what I'm saying is that there are lots of distractions.  I don't have the time to keep up on everything and I feel like I'm relatively well-informed because I check out the news and read the headlines  about 10 times a day.  

I don't have the time to fully investigate the backgrounds of each of the candidates or determine which news media reporting negatives on candidates has a political slant.

The less responsibilities you have in your life the more time you have to be a good citizen.  I figure I'll have to try picking up the being a good citizen responsibilities in retirement.

Right now, from what I can tell, I honestly don't like any of the candidates.  I don't think any of them are qualified or competent enough to lead this nation.  If these are the best that this country has to offer...we're in trouble.