Being that the majority of my class will be able to vote in the upcoming election, we sat down and had a discussion about what we look for in a presidential candidate. The object wasn't to convert anyone to any particualr side (although quite a few tried) and no one was pressured to dictate their views. Even past these things, I walked away more frightened for my future than I could even imagine possible.
I was a part of the generation that was preached at about how every vote counts, how not voting is being unpatriotic, basically "Vote or Die" in a school setting. We did the mock voting sessions where we voted for our favorite color and everyone got candy in the end and the 'Vote for Class President' idea, though it never really stuck. After this discussion, however, I realized that maybe the public education system has done us wrong in trying to do us right: people have opinions, but absolutely no basis for their opinions.
When I say this, I don't mean things like "Why would you vote for Obama?" "Because he's a democrat". No, I'm talking about way, way out there. Like one girl's rational for wanting to vote for Ron Paul. Stonically serious, she looked everyone one of us in the eye and informed us she planned on voting for Ron Paul because "[she] likes his ad campain and the banners he has hanging on the freeways". When asked if she knew what his position on gun control was, she cocked her head to the side and said, "Um, I don't know, but his signs have 'love' highlighted in 'revolution', so he probably doesn't like guns". Wrong. Completely, undeniably wrong. I'm not stating my opinion of Ron Paul, I'm simply stating that this girl, who's vote will be weighted the same as yours, has no idea what shes doing. Not a hint of an idea. But she likes his banners on the freeway, and thats a good enough reason to vote for him for president.
And, frankly, that scares me.
While, currently, I don't believe such sheltered-ness is the norm, imagine if it will be one day? If she goes on to have 3 children, and each of those children have three children, all of whom have that same 'action is the answer' philosophy, we're talking about exponential growth towards a population that is oblivious to the facts, and has the ability to control the government.
Imagine that, folks: a president voted into office thats there simply because they have the best ad campain, or because he was the best looking of the candidates. That is a world to fear.
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you are completely right. i just registered to vote today and i have no idea who to vote for except I am not voting for Hilary in the primaries. I ran for student body president in 11th grade and handed out flowers. My campaign slogan was "Let's make SGA grow together" I ended up winning but also I got a lot of compliments on my slogan and my campaigning process. They said I got their attention... I did even get half way through my speech. But I still won.... your campaigning does have an affect on your voters and how will they vote. It is scary but very true.
Thats interesting that you have actual experience related to campaining vs winning. Its starting to sound like its not an isolated occurance with government elections, but also extends to minor things like high school presidencies. Thanks for bringing that up.
That is quite interesting, and I am just as scared as you are. I couldn't imagine voting for someone because of pretty signs. That is naivety at it's best.
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Respectfully,
Adam
A-Team Member
well, if the masses are dumb enough to be swayed by pretty adds and catchy slogans then there's not much we can do. We'll see if that saying of each country ending up with the government it deserves is true or not.
Its true, it seems like the only action we can currently take is to attempt to educate people on exactly what the candidates views are but, beyond that, it is a total waiting game, and thats not right.
It really does make you stand back and wonder just how catchy ads got more sway than actual policy. Maybe its related to candidates not following up with their promises? I have no idea.
I think we're already in a world to fear-- a world that does fear. Let me explain.
If you've seen the film Jesus Camps, you're alert to the subject of indoctrination of children who attend Lutheran summer camps. But this is one microcosm. We're beating the drums of war in Iran and there is no conscience in our action, no foresight, no historical analysis of the country, and no drawn parallels to Iraq (ie. weapons of mass destruction claims, they're evil, etc.)
We live in a culture dictated by the media and the status-quo. You know this. But the repetition of FEAR is only rivaled by our fascination with sex.
I think you're doing a mighty fine job of addressing some things that we should indeed fear, but you may agree that we already fear too damn much. Islamo-fascists! Run!