I becoming more and more convinced that the American people are an amazingly uninformed lot. And to an extent, I suspect, it's understandable. For two reasons.
Number one: we are so self-absorbed and family-absorbed these days than perhaps ever before. More families have dual-working parents, out the door at 8am, not home until 6pm. Then it's time to make a quick dinner and get Suzy and Bobby to soccer, dance, a recital, or horse-riding lessons. We have over-devoted ourselves to our children. Never wanting them to want for anything in life. That last part, by the way, I think is unhealthy.
Number two: we are now living in a 24/7, media-saturated world. Not only can you turn on the TV or radio and be inundated with information, but for the last decade-and-a-half we have also had the internet which gives every crazed conpsiracy theorist a platform to spew their moronic, uninformed garbage.
A relatively recent Pew Survey (taken in 2007) found that more people could tell you who Arnold Schwarzenegger was or who Beyonce Knowles was than could tell you the name of the vice president of the United States. Are you freakin' kidding me. 93% knew who Arnold was, but only 67% could tell you Dick Cheney was the vice president. Now, help me here. Who are the morons who didn't know who Arnold Schwarzenegger was? How dumb do you have to be?
So, as we enter the election season, don't be surprised if a vast majority of Americans don't start paying attention until after Labor Day. Americans might talk a good game, and say they care about the debt, the deficit, wars, etc. But I guarantee you they are more worried about the recent tuition hike at their kids' dance school.
Scott- I agree, mostly. I wouldn't call it "self-absorbed". I think too many families are trying to "keep up with the Jones'" and to do so they are buried in activities and 'stuff' and barely even know thier children or thier spouses...But "Dang don't we look good to the neighbors!" Seriously- We need to get back to basics and start paying attention to what is going on in the world! This is a perfect time to do just that
01/12/2012 1:08PM
Not completely true
I would have to agree with the "self-absorbed" comment but "family-absorbed"? Really? This is the most morally bankrupt society America has ever known and a major contributor is the break-up of the family. Not the self-absorption of it. Busyness may be a huge factor there as well with many families but if families were truly self-absorbed there wouldn't be so many programs available for the kids who are "lost" among us with no parent who sincerely cares about them. The Pew Survey is very telling that materialism is more important than most anything else though and it is a sad commentary on where we've come in two generations. Then there is the problem of just plain stupid people who will listen to the lame-stream media and buy it all hook, line and sinker. What we need are more families who eat together, do meaningful things together and who understand that their actions today have consequences tomorrow. That includes being in the know about political matters in the country of their birth. Thanks for allowing me to rant.
01/17/2012 4:54PM
Yep, and they vote!
Of course they're uninformed- the frightening thing is that they have come to realize that the can vote! Look who they elected president ;)
01/23/2012 6:50PM
Bill B
Unfortunately Parks you are a part of the problem. You are evidence of your premise and you pollute the airwaves with your ignorance for 4 hours a day? Further proof that dumbing down the populace is alive and well.
01/30/2012 5:59PM
Gerry W
Bill B--don't listen if you don't like what Mr. Parks is doing. Radios (and TVs, for that matter) have off switches or remote controls.
02/12/2012 6:44PM
Ininformed Americans
True Gerry, there is an on/off switch. That's not the problem. While Scott talks very freely about a multitude of subjects it is very often evident that his research into his subject, if any, is generally only superficial. He commentary seldom goes beyond stock talking points, skewed surveys, and a re-hash of wht the lamestream media has told him what to think. the problem is that he is a part of the problem and seldom does he have anything to say that doesn't bolster what the media wants us to hear. He is failing to educate people on the very critical issues facing us today.
02/12/2012 6:48PM
John S
Sorry. This is the first time I have used this forum. That should have been "Uninformed Americans". I see now that in order to get my name in there I have to enter it as the title and that I have no opportunity to make a correction once I push the plunger.
02/15/2012 4:35PM
America declared independence from?
The 1% of students who think we declared independence from China are WRONG! We are still dependent on China to purchase our T Bills to keep the government running and for finished electronic products that the American public demands.
03/02/2012 11:46AM
Just to pull your chain
Check out this article: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/1/sheriff-arpaio-obama-birth-certificate-forgery/
03/08/2012 2:27PM
Uninformed
interesting. That was my reaction yesterday when the host on Radioactive suggested that the prosecutors should have gone to trial based on their 'belief' of guilt. That guy is seriously uninformed about criminal prosecutions, prosecutorial misconduct and prosecutorial discretion.
And he knows nothing about the impact of the wrongfully accused.
I am assuming he is a flaming liberal and one of the dolts that watches Judge Judy and opines on guilt or innocence in things like the OJ or Casey Anthony trial.
03/19/2012 5:05PM
Yup hes right
Do a little more research about your subjects before the show, sure it takes work, so does anything worthwhile. Shanin brought out the lib in Parks, but the broad brings out the Con in him, she is an asset to the show, she is a poster child for the reactionary ignorant liberal.
04/02/2012 12:18PM
BrownHairGal
So true - my brother who is a Democrat yet hates welfare recipients (????) told me that when Bill Clinton was president there was no national debt. I asked where he got that tidbit of information - he said he went to Arkansas and that was posted on a sign at Clinton's Presidential Library. Now I know Bill didn't always tell the truth but I seriously doubt that was on a sign there. My brother votes - he knows NOTHING!! Doesn't read or care to know anything either.
04/17/2012 4:41PM
Time is up people
This country is coming apart at the seams. There are so many problems that no one person can correct it. I am taking care of my own. I am re-learning stuff my mom and grandma taught me to pass down to my kids like gardening, canning, sewing, hunting. This way I don't have to depend on the government for anything.
05/23/2012 3:35PM
Del
HEy Scott... How can you explain Sarah Palin??? College educated but still dumb as a bag of hammers!!!LOL!!!
05/25/2012 11:18AM
Uninformed americans
Look at the test scores of Americans. A huge percentage of the population is incapable of understanding the facts underlying any issue. At best they can repeat the blather they pick up from some news outlet staffed by people not much smarter than the average.
As George Carlin said: 'the average American isn't very smart but half of you are dumber than that.'
