Are Americans That Shallow?

Question

I have heard the rumour that more Americans voted for personages on that insipid "American Idol" show than did in our last presidential election.
Are Americans truly that self absorbed and shallow?

Answer 1

Just scroll through some of the questions and answers listed in this forum and you quickly learn what the majority of our people are like. They can't construct a decent sentence, can't spell (and are apparently too dumb to use the spell checker) and want instant gratification. They can't think, and need someone to tell them what to do. If The Great White (or Black, or Brown or Yellow) Fathers in state capitals and in Washington DC promise to give them their allowance if they'll be good children and vote them back into office, these people will bend and grovel just to get the government handouts.
I once had a college graduate read part of The Declaration of Independence. After he read it he said, "Well, I read it but I don't know what it says."
If a college graduate can't think well enough to understand The Declaration of Independence we are doomed. "A nation gets the government it deserves."

Answer 2

The numbers aren't comparable. You aren't even comparing apples and orange, here. You're comparing apples and potato chips.

To vote in the Presidential elections, we have to be 18, we have to be legally registered to vote (not every adult in this country is eligible) and we can vote only once.

Many, perhaps even most, Idol voters were under 18, several individual voters phoned in hundreds or thousands of times to vote, nobody was ineligible to vote because of a past felony or immigration status, nobody planned to vote after work, but had to work late and didn't make it to the polls in time (American Idol polls opened about an hour after the time the election polls close in my state,) shut-ins, those without transportation, etc., didn't have to worry about a way to get to the polls to vote in Idol -- they could just phone it in, etc...

Plus, there wasn't as much at stake with Idol. A lot of people don't vote in our elections because they don't feel like they know enough about the candidates and issues. Some boycott the elections to make a political "statement," some legitimately don't like any of the choices on the ballot, some are afraid that registering to vote will get them called for jury duty and they'll get caught up in a big case that will prevent them from earning a living for an extended period of time, etc.

Answer 3

When you have a choice of two losers running for office, what is the motivation to go out and vote? If you don't care who wins, because both would be bad for America, then why vote?

In contrast, American Idol is entertaining and fun. Why not vote for good singers you enjoy listening to?

It is important to stop and smell the roses in life, and for some people, shows like American offers a release from the stresses of every day life.

Answer 4

Yes it is true that more votes were cast for American Idol than for president. That's largely due to the fact that people under-18 can vote and that's where the major percentage of votes come from. Plus you can vote via you cell phone and don't have to leave your house. But it does cost like $.49 or $.99 to vote. Say what you will about us, everyone else does.

Answer 5

americans over 18? or americans in general? i wovted for american idol, because u can basically vote for that at any age...but i did not vote for the presidental election because i was only...uh 12 at the time? and in 2008 i still will vote for american idol but not the presidential election, because i'd only be 16. being too young to vote doesnt make us shallow. but if u r asking for over 18, then i think they're just plain lazy! why do u think america is the mose obese country in the world? lOl!

Answer 6

Think about it this way, alot of the people voting for American Idol are of teenage age 14-18. Only 18+ can vote, but yeah, it is sad that one of the most power countries in the world has more votes for a talent contest than their government officials.

Answer 7

No, though that fact is true. The difference between elections and American Idol is that everyone can vote for American Idol as many times as they want and at any age, whereas during an election you are only allowed one ballot and you must be eighteen or over. Think of how many little twelve years olds called up for their favorite singers over and over again in one night, and it doesn't seem so bad.

I know, I was shocked too when I heard that at first.

Answer 8

I think not.It probably comes from the fact that voting is a waste of time as the people we vote for are not the people that actually run the USA so whats the point in voting.George W. lost the last election but his dad and the CIA and his brother Jeb along with the supreme court fixed it so he became president.Lets not forget the elitist Skull and Crossbones club.These are the guys who run the show.

Answer 9

what is our fault then? world cohabitants - U.S. citizens i mean. the fact that the majority of Americans are lazy, or dumb, or shallow have cost my lovely little country (name unimportant-since we share almost the same history with all other so called 3 world countries) 3 military coups, while you Americans were fighting your famous war against communism. I'm not even surprised anymore if any U.S. based event happens around the world.

just few examples i had personally experienced with American exchange students in my university and in my city(not to mention they must be at least 3.5 GPA students to be an exchange student) 1- one American friend chose English 311 elective course so that he wouldn't need to study and have more time exploring the city and surroundings, so far so good, then he had the bottom grades at midterm1 & 2
2- another student I was hosting was about to leave in 5 hours so i went to check if i could help him packing at his appartement he rented(not to mention "the most expensive" one around which had 4 bedrooms). and i watched him play indian poker for 3 hours and forget half the presents he bought and clothes etc. and then found out that he missed the flight.
3-(the worst i think) at a night club. i spotted 3 girls, one COMPLETELY drunk, others on the verge, dansing, falling mostly. not long after one of them came and asked if I knew english, than exactly said:" I think you didn't come talk to us because we are american, well don't worry we are like other girls just far better on the sack and can buy ourselves and to you, if you want, any drink! " I tried my best not to offend them and rejected the offer, but I swear to you all, that i couldn't get any sleep because of anger. I'm sure this is not american storeotype, it's just me who is unlucky....sorry if I made any mistakes

Answer 10

Most of those vapid people voted more than once for the idol, so I don't know that more did vote. It would not surprise me if it was true though. Sadly enough most americans are more interested in entertainment than things that really affect their lives.