How much attention should we pay to the political process?

Question

How much responsibility does the average citizen have to remain aware of an ongoing political process?

Does it depend on the process? On the location? On the scope — municipal, county, province, federal?

Answer 1

WE have the say, lets say no one voted. Then what? What if no one but some hobo voted and that hobo voted for another hobo that spends our tax dollars on hot dogs.

That was a toatl darmitaztion of couse but yo get my point you must pay close attention to ploitics other wise you skrew yourself over in voteing for the wrong person.

Answer 2

Most people are aware of the political process. The problem lies in the fact most Americans just talk the talk but don't actually do anything to improve the process in order to help the politicians make the right changes we really need in society. For example, when was the last time you wrote letters to all your politicians in your district to inform them of how you would like to see the laws changed for the better. I did 2 months ago and it is still not enough but it's a start. Even the President of The United States responded back to my letter. When is America going to wake up and help make the necessary changes by getting involved.

Answer 3

As citizens we should always pay attention to what our Representatives are doing so they don't think they can do whatever they want without repurcussion. It doesn't matter about location because we all vote for our diffrent Representatives and Senators wherever we live. If we listen to what candidates say and what they do while in office we have our answer on what type of leader they are and we can vote for them again or toss them out of office. If all of us average joes would pay enough attention to what the leaders are doing and respond to them immediately then we'd have the power because they would know we can and will vote them out of office. Especially if we are dissatisfied with their performance.  Stop voting in the same idiots. Its why our country is in the state it is now.

Answer 4

Just know who won, you know, u want to know who to blame when the countries economy crashes.

Answer 5

Those who pay no attention to the political process are the first to be blamed when our liberties and freedoms are gone.  They are also those who have no right to complain about what kind of political system we end up with, because they were too %#@!*% lazy to vote!  At ALL levels of government!

Answer 6

Every voter should be required to take a test of competency...before voting.  If that voter fails the knowledge of the issues test...then that voter should be required to retake the test, PASS IT.....then vote.

Answer 7

Most people seem to forget, and so do politicians, that they are supposed to be our friends and neighbors who are chosen by us to represent the interests and needs that we share with our fellow citizens. We should keep in touch with them as to their voting records, that we keep in touch with what they are promoting, and why, and that their actions are in our best interests.

Too often politicians are allowed to live in a world of their own, profiting from their own self interests. Once the election process is over we tend to put the political  process out of our minds.

Answer 8

Hmph. Most people don't even watch the debates. I'm thirteen and always watch the primary results and the Presidential debates. I even try and check out what's happening in other states with their governors and Reps. But maybe this is because I'm going to be a politician. :)

Answer 9

enough so that when we see the cage appear, we complain to the nearest jack-booted thug.

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Answer 10

The responsibility is a lot to prevent wars in some cases. Maybe even help create alternitives to present parties. Solar Power Party, involves student grants, solar power jobs, ant-war. form please.

Answer 11

I just focus and My city and or the State,,,changes @ the city level R usually easier than the Federal or County

Answer 12

We should pay as much attention as we possibly can. At least until our eyes start to cross. It can get pretty deep. And pretty complicated. And sometimes it sounds like they are talking a foreign language. But learning all we can about how the process works will help us in determining who we want to vote for -- on any level. It will also help us in figuring out how to fix the things that are broke.

Answer 13

A lot, now that Cheney has returned overwhelming executive power to the Presidency for Bush, whoever follows might make things even worse.