Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter

[RamboLiberal]

From Amazon.com

From Publishers Weekly
Shenkman (Presidential Ambition) makes the provocative argument that as American voters have gained political power in the last 50 years, they have become increasingly ignorant of politics and world affairs—and dangerously susceptible to manipulation. The book provides a litany of depressing statistics—most Americans cannot name their representatives in Congress, only 20% hold a passport, 30% cannot identify the Holocaust—as Shenkman inquires whether Americans are capable of voting in the nation's or even their own best interests. Although Shenkman clearly derives some pleasure in pointing out the stupidity and irrationality of the American public, his concern is genuine and heartfelt. In lucid, playful prose, he illustrates how politicians have repeatedly misled voters and analyzes the dumbing down of American politics via marketing, spin machines and misinformation. Shenkman initiates an important conversation in this book and makes welcome suggestions to reinvigorate civic responsibility and provide people with the knowledge and tools necessary to efficaciously participate in the political process. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rick Shenkman's Just How Stupid Are We? not only wholeheartedly embraces Mill's observation, but also eliminates any remaining doubt about the growing inadequacy of the American electorate to participate responsibly in democracy. A few of the chilling facts with which the book is crammed:

--half of us can name 4 characters from "The Simpsons," but less than a quarter can name more than one of the guaranteed rights in the First Amendment.

--only 2 out of 5 voters can name all three branches of the federal government.

--only 1 in 5 know that there are 100 federal senators.

--only 1 in 7 can find Iraq on a map.

--only one-fifth of Americans between ages 18-34 bother to keep up with current events.

[sandnsea]

1. Only 20% can afford to leave the country

TUsing statistics like passports is why liberals get branded as elitist. Then again, maybe the author doesn't know the income percentiles in this country, or doesn't grasp what they mean. That information would change the country more than anything else.

[pscot]

4. Not true

Sign up for the Army or the Marines, and you'll be in Iraq within 180 days, and you won't even need a passport.

[polichick]

2. And, as Obama said recently, "they take pride in being ignorant."

[KT2000]

3. I am afraid

that America's greatness is barely existing on the fumes.
This is not the country of the fiercely independent - it is the country of sheep now.
Every day - all day, people tune into their propaganda stations for their dose of hate and adrenalin. That drug mixture gives the false sense of identity and independence to people who are just being led around by the nose. They feel safe.

I guess it then beecomes important to elect a president who does not threaten that illusion.

[ramapo]

5. Quite stupid as a general rule

The overall level of ignorance among the population is astounding and depressing. I grew up thinking we'd get smarter as a society.

[Captain Hilts]

6. It's not just voters. Go back and read the "liberal" NYT op-ed page from 2000...

You'll find Bob Herbert and Maureen Dowd mocking Al Gore for being snobby and Frank Rich telling us there really wasn't much difference between Bush and Gore.