American people vote on what our country does, but what do they know about running a country?

Question

I am writing web page on the topic of ignorant voters and would like more information on this to be sure that my ideas are correct. I do not like to be wrong, and would rather learn the truth more than fight for my own opinion if it may be wrong. My question is, "In the United States of America the people have a say in how this country is run, but how much do the American people know about running a country?"

Also, would it be better to ignore ignorant votes, or do more to educate voters?

Also I would like satistics on voter turn out.

Answer 1

We don't get a vote on everything. Just a hope that whoever represents us, keeps us in mind when making the votes for us.

I wouldn't begin to know everything there is to know about running a country. Let alone the global issues. I'm sure it's a very stressful job. I do know some basics on running a business and I figure it's close to that. Owner, manager, asst. manager, dept. head etc. on down the line. Everybody has their seperate issues, problems and strengths. Each one, of course, thinks their issues are more important than the other. They all have to be kept in a fine balance to keep working effectively. Just as those at the bottom have a birds-eye view of their issues it's hard to understand why the top doesn't see it, just as when you're at the top it's easy to forget what's going on at the bottom.

Right now I think they are spending too much time on "global" issues at the expense of this country. Nothing wrong with helping when you can. Nothing wrong with looking ahead. But it is when you forget where you came from and exactly what your job is. It's not our governments job to fix the global scene especially at the expense of the citizens. It's wrong for them to use the success of this nation as a club or carrot for other nations to follow or cringe from.

We voted them in for us. Not the world, not big business and the stock market or to be the savior of other nations. They are there to serve us. Unfortunatly they are going beyond their duty in my opinion and it's effecting this nation. No one notices a problem until it hits them personally. If you live in a well protected world where all that matters to you is safe....it's hard to understand when the natives are restless because theirs isn't. Whether it be the war, globalization, illegal immigration, outsourcing etc. All I know is the building will crumble if the base is unstable. Our base is unstable and they only seem to notice how beautiful their suite is. Just my opinion.

Answer 2

Well to begin with this is supposed to be a country "of the people, by the people, for the people", of course we have left a lot of those ideals behind. As far as knowing how to run a country, if it is for the people (us) then we should have a say in ow this country is run and that is one of the things that makes us different from the rest of the world and in some ways better also. Our founding fathers probably did not know a lot about running a country nor did the first voters, they just knew that they wanted something different. As far as the second part of your question educating voters is always best, but many people don't want to be educated or want to vote based on their feelings and not with their brains using common sense and critical thinking. Then again how many people truly know how to think critically?

Answer 3

The first thing you should do is read our constitution. Most people these days have the mistaken assumption that the United States is a democracy it isn't. Article IV section 4 states: "The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a Republican form of government." In a republic the people elect the government officials that they think will best run the country and leave the decisions to the officials they elect thereby creating a ruling minority for the majority. In a democracy the people might elect an official but that official is powerless to make important decisions without the consulting the people who elected him/her. If we as americans want to stop an official from doing something or a law from taking affect we have to go to the courts to make it happen otherwise we are bound by the decisions and laws made. But the people elected to our government might not know anything more about running a country that the rest of us do and in some cases I think even less so. But becareful of the truth somepeople might not want to hear it.

Answer 4

I wonder how far you can get with this question. I suppose it depends on the length of your paper. This is a representative democracy, so the voters are not expected to know how to run the country, just to understand the basics of the political system, and make an intelligent choice between candidates.

I think a more productive inquiry might be to ask whether the people who run for office know how to run the country? How are voters to judge these candidates? Are there some functions and decisions which should always be delegated to the military or to career bureaucrats or technocrats, as opposed to political hacks (excuse me, I meant "elected officials")?

Answer 5

In general, most probably do not know anything about running a country. But the reason for most of us voting is not to run a country. It is to elect people who do know how to run a country and run it in a way that we mostly agree with. To ignore ignorant voters would essentially be going against our Bill of Rights and the reason our forefathers created this country. Every man is created equal. Thus, voter education is really the only option and in my opinion, not focused on enough.

Answer 6

Joe six pack probably has more intuition than any ten politicians in office today.

You have to remember that our president and congress is bribery driven. They take campaign money from any source, then pay back the money with votes & vetoes.

Ask any bloak in a bar how to solve this problem or that problem and you'll always get at least some kind of coherent answer.

So why aren't the politicians in office applying sound logic and proven reasoning to the problems facing our nation?

Follow the money.

But, you may ask, money comes from varying sources, which money should I follow?

Follow the money that is influenceing the most politicians whose vote seems to exacerbate the problems, not solve them.

Who benefits most from an increase in crisis, problems, wars, calamities etc.?

The people who loan money to the government and reap a tremendous return on their investment.

So the problem with our nation isn't the ignorant votors. Neither is the problem the politicians who really have no choice as to how they must vote to pay back their campagn contributors.

The problem is the banksters who steer our country directly into expensive problems with full knowledge and intent. And for what?

1 Tim 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil
KJV

Answer 7

Yesterday (12/9/06), William Jefferson of New Orleans was just re-elected as a US Congressman. He was caught by the FBI with $90,000 cash in his freezer from a bribery scheme that is currently being investigated. How is that for ignorance?

People know nothing about national civics. Most of the time Americans will vote only on local issues, who brings home the most bacon, and who makes the most empty feel-good promises.

In Jefferson's case, he and his family have been involved in politics forever and accomplished virtually nothing. I know, I used to live there.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/09/louisiana.house.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest
.

Answer 8

Running a country is highly complex matter. You have to frame short term, long term and global policies. Result of policies may not be according to the expectation of voters. It was expected that Iraqi people will welcome freedom but a small group turned it into blood bath. People must support their Government to keep the unity.

Answer 9

thank you, thank you, Hillary Clinton and Obama voted no , I choose all of them had voted no. ninety one troops have already died this month and there is not any telling with the help of June 1st what the type would be. That finished retard President of yours needs to bypass in the present day to hell. That precisely the place is going to finally finally end up those varieties of troops murdered who's to blame the RETARD.

Answer 10

People with low IQ's should not be allowed to vote.
Look who we have for president.
Any questions?