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Voters – Informed, Ignorant or Stupid? By Patti Bankson (10/10/04)

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Too many people believe, without question, most of what they see and read. The infamous Michael Moore movie is a good example: It was a mixture of truth, half-truths and out-right lies. Yet person after person who saw it thanked him for exposing “The Truth”. They’re not stupid, they’re just ignorant and don’t have (all) the facts. Not because the facts are not available to them, but because they don’t bother to do the research. Actually, a little research would have enlightened them regarding what Mr. Moore thinks of his fans. In an interview in England, he said Americans are stupid! Wow! If you’re a “devoted fan”, you’ve supported him with your hard-earned money, your gratitude for giving you the “truth” via his movie, etc., what do you think about him thanking you by calling you stupid? Now there’s someone worth your time, money and allegiance! Enough said about him!

There is a distinction between “stupid”, which means slow-witted, and “ignorant” or “uninformed”, which means lacking knowledge. The following stories may make you wonder how clear that distinction is, however …

When listening to a radio talk show one day, the host sent a staffer outside their studios to talk to the “man on the street”. I have to tell you the level of ignorance was scary!

Here are some examples of what I heard. A woman was shown pictures of President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, National Security Advisor Condaleeza Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. Of those six people, she could identify only Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. Next, a man was asked for whom he planned to vote. He said, emphatically, “Kerry”. When asked why he was voting for him, he said, he didn’t know, he just was. He also couldn’t name anything Kerry had accomplished in his years in government, but he was “sure he’s done a lot of good things”! Well, I’ve got some family members, neighbors and friends about whom I might say the same thing – that wouldn’t necessarily qualify them for office.

Someone else was asked what he thought of “John Kierney’s” vice-presidential running mate, “Stu Pid”. (Candidate’s names changed for “research” purposes.) I promise, I am not making this up! He said he thought he was a good man and was highly qualified for the office. John Kierney?? Stu Pid?? Now, I’m sorry - that goes way beyond ignorance, right on into stu –pid- ity!

Now, if you don’t want people like these electing your next president, you need to act! First, educate yourself. Next, vote! If you don’t, you’ll have absolutely no complaints when it comes to the outcome!!

Patti Bankson invites your comments at pbankson@intergate.com
ã2004 Patti Bankson