Are apathy and a lack of critical thinking the source of the U.S.'s ills?

Question

I asked a question about reasons why I shouldn't vote for a particular candidate in the 2008 Presidential election. I was looking for information that maybe I hadn't heard yet.

Most of the people who responded said I shouldn't vote for this candidate because he was a) crazy, b) not going to win. I explained that the first answer was immature and illogical, and the second answer was ridiculous. Who votes for someone just because they are going to win?

Additionally, I asked my adult students (between the ages of 18 and 50) to name five candidates for the Presidential election. Out of a class of 20 people, only 3 or 4 people could do it. Most of them could only identify Clinton and Obama.

Are we so disinterested and unthinking about the state of our country? Or is it a general dislike for corrupt politicians?

Answer 1

Apathy and the lack of critical thinking are definitely a major player in the country's ills.

Personally, I don't see a lot of difference between the two parties, I'd love for one of them to stand up and do what's right for the country without being concerned about party politics.

Answer 2

People are apathetic because we see no positive change in this country. No matter which party is in office, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We are cynical about their ability to get anything done for the betterment of all Americans. Sadly the state of our country gets worse and worse no matter who is in office. No one takes into consideration what is best for the "people" anymore. It's all about special interests and offending this group or that group or who has contributed to their campaign fund, etc.

The founding fathers would be so ashamed of the politicians we have today.

Answer 3

As a non American I think what you are referring too goes back to a loss of discipline. Times were harder in the past and the hard times made people with disciplined attitudes. Your students have a lazy attitude because they can get away with not caring and still survive. But the world changes bit by bit so an attitude like that could catch up with them in the future.