Political Apathy... Are we being short sighted?

Question

There is alot people who don't vote and such and there is a lot of discussion on here and from Sen. Ohbama's question.

I always had a social studies/civics class, every year until my senior year in high school, because I two of such classes my sphomore year. We have state assesment tests over this stuff. So, I am having a hard time beleiving there is an issue of education. Unless schools are cutting back such programs.

Honestly, I didn't start voting until my second year college. I try my best to educate myself on candiates, but I still feel clueless at times.

Why do we focus so much on the Presidential elections? Everyone focuses on the President. I think people need to be aware of Congress and the such.

I really think we need to put term limitations on legislators to elimnate career politicans. I still recoginze alot faces on C-Span from my little years. I think this will help dilute the two party c**k fight and make them compete with the third parties.

Answer 1

I don't think term limits would change the two party system in any significant way.  The parties would still back their candidate (old or new) with more money than you can shake a stick at.  But I completely agree that people need to be more educated when it comes to all political elections.  Don't let politicians get away with lying, pandering and giving soundbites instead of answers.  The only way to hold your government accountable is to know what they are doing, and then calling them out on it.

Answer 2

Answer: Apathy! Who Cares! Short sighted! What?

Watching various news and web news sites, knowing who represents you in the house and senate and even twice a month visiting their web sites and make up your own mind.

Things to avoid...Daily KOS and D.U.

Those are however excellent examples of the low life filthy tripe that forms the un-American thought process of the democratic left.

Answer 3

How dare you prize competition!  What are you, an American?

Keep posting.  Yes, we are very short-sighted.

That's why I speak up against political bigotry (makes people call me a republican or conservative, but that's their trip, not mine).

Sounds like someone I'd like to know!  Don't need to know your party.  I like patriots.

Answer 4

Yes. In fact, I think many people are just plain BLIND when it comes to Politics- focusing MORE on personalities & one or two particular issues, than on the overall situation at hand.

Answer 5

You my dear are off to a great start.  As far as the school system goes, programs are constantly being cut and the standards are much lower.  If we want our children to compete in a global economy then they really need to raise the standards instead of focusing so much on social issues.  Education in America has fallen prey to special interest and politics.  Research the huge lobby of the Education Association and you will uncover some dirty little secrets of special agendas.

Answer 6

Well, I was fortunate enough to grow up during the Reagan Era, a glorious time for the American civilization.  

You see, Ronald Reagan lifted the spirits and fortunes of our country, birthing an era of unprecedented prosperity and military might.  He also defeated the Evil Empire of communism and tore down the Berlin Wall.

A figure of his caliber comes along only once in every generation or so.   I would argue that, the positive national feelings which occur because of a great leader translate into increased political participation. I think part of the problem is that the younger generation has no great leaders to inspire them; only incompetent or (at best) run-of-the-mill bureaucrats

We are not likely to witness a figure of Reagan's magnitude soon, but in the event that we do, a nation will again be uplifted.

Answer 7

The only way to get rid of the two-party system is to get rid of the electoral college.

Answer 8

Oh, the US has always been politically short sighted. Largely because people realize that the country will do what it wants to do largely without their input.

However, I agree with you. Term limits is a good start, and so is business divesting rules for politicians. The media is partly to blame for our current situation. They will take any lie told about another candidate for a story, publish it, and the entire farce of the politics of personal destruction is allowed to continue. But hey, it sells newspapers, and at the end of the day, any for-profit operation has only one goal in mind: make a profit. It doesn't matter how it makes that profit. So what if journalistic objectivity is gone? So what if what is being printed is a bold-faced lie? Just as long as it sells a paper.

Yellow journalism has gone on since the nation started, and well before in other countries that actually had free presses, but I digress.

Voting for every branch would be a good idea, and one of the reforms should be the removal of appointed-for-life judges. They should stand for election just like any other person with political power does. Abolishing the Federal Court system for a more democratic one makes a lot more sense to me.

Congress, the President and the Supreme Court should be our focus, not just one aspect.

Answer 9

I agree that there need to be limits to reduce the "polital career" path.

As for educating the public about our elected officials, the schools really have dropped the ball as well as the parents of those students.

Answer 10

I completely agree that we're in trouble with so many people being either unwilling to vote or insufficiently up on the issues to vote effectively.

I also completely agree that the two party system is apalling and needs to go NOW!

I'm not sure that term limits will have that effect.  I would, however, like to see considerable thought to how we can reduce the advantage of already being in office.

There is value in experience, but with experience comes a seniority system which I don't think works well at all - the longer you've been in Congress, the more powerfull you tend to be because of which committees you're in, etc.