Are Americans now too ignorant to have a viable democracy?

Question

Walter Cronkite recently said so. He added, "Just look at who they elected to Congress and as President."

Answer 1

Plato would say yes. The ignorance and gullibility of the public is the fatal flaw of democracy.

Answer 2

Walter Cronkite is part of the machine that made them that way. But to answer your question, no, not really. The people that actually make an effort to go out and vote are the smarter more well-informed ones. The ones that are bribed and bused in to vote are the ones you should worry about.

Answer 3

I wouldn't say ignorant. The two last elections were very close and were seen as referendums on how Bill Clinton did before the year 2000 and George Bush did before 2004. So when Bush won (or possibly stole) both, he took it as a sign he was doing the right things and continued along the path that has polarized the parties. There is no compromise anymore out of fear that any compromiser will be seen as a puppet of the other party. And very rarely will you find the right answer in the wings, it is almost always in the center where ideas are properly debated and worked on to a point where they can work.

Answer 4

Who the heck is Walter Cronkite to criticize how we vote?

Anywho, who screwed up the public school system? Now, that's why we are too ignorant to have a viable democracy.


I had an interesting conversation yesterday:

2 people, one middle aged male and younger female in her early 20s or late teens, were discussing the increase in cost to get a fishing license here in Virginia. This past July1st the price went from $12 to $18.

I said the increase was ridiculous. Virginia had just passed its budget without increasing taxes (Republican victory) but our state government suddenly increased licensing fees in other areas in order to raise revenue to fund worthless government programs (we have split houses and a Democrat for governor).

The young lady in her teens said, "Well, they need some way for us to be able to afford Iraq."

I did not respond. I was absolutely amazed- what are they teaching in these public schools? Since when does a state's revenue derived from fishing licenses suddenly contribute to the federal expenses of incurred by war?

Sheer ignorance, and it is, in large part, the school system's part.

Answer 5

A democracy is a government where the people elect their lawmakers. Just because you may not approve of those people elected doesn't make it anything less than a democracy.

My question is.....when will Americans stop complaining about their lawmakers and get out there and do something about it? You can whine all you want but AMERICANS elected each and every person in office.

Still not happy? Hey, why don't you move to Cuba, North Korea, or China. I'm sure you'll be much happier there!

Answer 6

In a word: yes.
But there's so much more to that. I think that because civics education in school is minimal to non-existant, there is no value in newer generations to be interested in politics and government. That's how so much disinformation spreads such as the person above who talked about how the US doesn't have freedom of the press. Technically by the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, we do, but it also how the FCC chooses to enforce it.
I've heard that many people do not want civics to be taught in schools, especially elementary schools because there is a problem with it being partisan or this or that. That is a bunch of crap. Especially if it was to be taught over all 12 years of school. But I also realize that schools are divided over curriculum requirements and everything... so much that civics isn't included when math and language are taking the hit also.

Back to topic... ignorance is part of it, but it isn't the whole reason. There are so many other things that play into it, such as campaign financing, the roles & people allowed to be lobbyists, the media, and so much more.

Answer 7

Apparently not, as we have one now. Just because Cronkite doesn't like the way the political scene is trending doesn't mean it's not a democracy. If everything was run the way celebrities wanted it to be, we'd be living in a failing, mindless commune.

Answer 8

Ignorant is not the correct word. Apathetic is. I believe that general Americans have become too apathetic about politics and allowed right and left wing radicals to take over the government and force moderates out.

Also, by Apathy, Americans aren't researching issues or trying to understand. Many Americans will just vote strait ticket or will believe what the right or the left says without doing any research.

I was reading a yahoo posting and there was a man who said that we as Americans don't have a right to freedom of the press. Americans have become too apathetic and too easy to foll. I blame it on the lack of history classes.

Answer 9

Ignorant no, distracted and apathetic yes. There are too many people out there who can name the past 5 American idols but can't name their own representatives or senators. We are too quick to allow amendments to our constitution that limit our freedoms instead of protect us from the government. The founding fathers did not create a perfect form of government as outlined by our Constitution. They did, however, recognize human nature. They new that our elected officials would become corrupted by their power. The tools are in the Constitution to allow the people to take back control. We just need to have the courage and ambition to open the toolbox. We don't need an armed revolution or anything like that. We need people to push themselves away from the tv and just get involved. Vote, support a candidate by volunteering, make sure your representatives are doing their jobs and that they share you beliefs as to what government should be.

Answer 10

Anyone who quotes Walter Cronkite is stupid.