The Uneducated

The American electorate often underestimated and even more often undersold. Political campaigns of the day spend their money on screaming a carefully selected group of slogans. Focus group tested thoughts. Quick sound bites designed to have the greatest possible impact in the shortest amount of time. Both parties do it, and it is to the determent of the process. My older sister drove this point home when we discussed the election today. She voted for Bush because Kerry “scared” her. When pressed for specifics she said that he “talked too much.” My baby sister noted that obviously the Bush attack ads had worked. Most of my family voted for Bush. And, what is sad too say is that with two politically active family members the remainder of the family has little to no interest in politics. The disinterested are highly susceptible to the attack ads. Not surprisingly the Bush ads seemed to be either more effective or prevalent and pervasive.

Along the misinformation lines, a study noted in the New York Times today showed that a number of voted who voted for the President help numerous beliefs that the Bush campaigned professed even though they were factually incorrect. Examples where that there were weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq. There were strong links from Saddam to Al Qaeda. Possibly the most astounding misconception of them all, the world supported and back the invasion of Iraq.

With ignorance working strongly in favor of the President and his party we must spend more time on education. But the time for the education if not during the short election cycle in the few months preceding the vote, we must start educating now. If we wait until the next election it will be too late. Special interest groups if they want to have a more profound effect on the election they need to educate their supporters, and others. This is probably what the Republicans did so effectively. They had their teams out educating their voters for the importance of the election, and their supporters turned out in large numbers. Educated voters are more motivated and more likely to continue to support their cause in the election and beyond.

Let’s get educated.