Traditionally the American electorate usually doesn’t become involved in presidential election politics until after the national party conventions. However, with the political atmosphere since the election of Barack Obama, it is hard to imagine that voters aren’t, at least to some extent, engaged. Here in Wisconsin we have been highly politicized since the election of November 2010. But, does being politicized translate to being informed?
It seems to me that with 24/7 news coverage, widespread immediate Internet access and social media; we, the public, are being buried in an avalanche of information. Normally, we would say that this is a good thing; but, in this case it is turning out to be an unexpected consequence of the Information Age and too much information becomes non-productive.
“Back in the day”, as kids are prone to say; information had to be ferreted out using traditional research methods. Through my formal education and beyond, I have invested 1000s of hours in the research process and at times became a permanent fixture in libraries wherever I resided. As I became Internet competent, I too switched from library book and article research over to reliance on search engines. This has resulted in speeding up the research process, making it more productive. However, from my decades of library work, I had learned the methods for performing an effective and efficient search; beginning with the ability to ask the “right” questions.
It’s funny, that today many students entering into colleges or universities must be taught how to use a research library and how to validate information.
Asking the “right” questions is critical to the information gained. If I ask the wrong question, then the outcome will not render the truth that I am seeking. Asking that question requires much forethought and a process of self-examination. Knowing that personal biases, perceptional lens and worldviews will impact the question, then it is imperative to frame the question absent, of the preconceived garbage and let the research lead where it leads. This is the current problem in the lightening speed information access that most people engage in; they don’t purge themselves first and only engage in research that validates their preconceived beliefs.
The world is awash with information that misrepresents, misdirects, misinforms and in many instances are outright lies. This is the reason that college students are cautioned not to use certain sources because of their unreliability. The information spin engineers count on the volume of information to help camouflage their claims and make it difficult to trace information. It is so bad that now we have to have independent verifiers to judge the veracity of claims and information. It seems that the more complex the issue/s the more difficult it is to get to the truth. With the difficulty to verify and the natural human tendency to only validate preconceived beliefs; how is it possible for the average voter to make a well-informed decision?
Since the US Supreme Court ruled in the favor of Citizens United, the campaign ad situation has gone from bad to worse. With the flood of money it has created conditions where it is even more difficult to trace those who are financing the messaging. As far as factual information, with third parties controlling the content, the messages are becoming more and more fictitious.
In an election with so much on the line, it has become almost impossible to separate the wheat from the chaff, leaving the average voting citizen in a difficult place. Political party pieces are not quite as bad as third party ads for truthful content, but they spin information in such a way as to misdirect information and control the desired message in their favor. The information overload and information manipulation has led to a serious problem; general information distrust.
The voter, who is not a political wonk, will be forced to do the best they can. To answer my own question; I don’t think that the average voter can be expected to ferret out the truth and will be forced to vote based on their own biases and beliefs. The election in November might as well be a crapshoot. Whoever comes out on top will be based not so much on message but on the voter’s preconceived beliefs.
You have that backward, Clyde. By stopping the pipeline, President Smart Diplomacy forced our closest neighbor and trading partner to send the oil to China. Thwarted on US oil pipeline, Canada looks to China http://finance.yahoo.com/news/thwarted-us-oil-pipeline-canada-looks-china-050249469.html --It takes literally 40 years from when oil is discovered to when it is produced. So, that would put production at 2052. Good Gracious where do you get these ideas. Duh, try to follow this. Canada discovered oil sands for which we were planning the excel pipeline in 1848. The price of oil didn't justify extracting it till 2003. So 8 years later we are trying to build transcontinental infrastructure to move the product. EIGHT YEARS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. Ten years ago Williston, North Dakota was a quiet agricultural town with a population around 12,000. Today, because of oil prices and drilling advancements, Williston is home to America's biggest oil boom and its residents number over 30,000. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/youve-never-seen-anything-like-the-williston-oil-boom-2012-3?op=1#ixzz24FG6l7TF 10 YEARS TO A FULL FLEDGED OIL BOOM!!!!
Look, if English is not your primary language, why don't you post somewhere where they are using it?
Wrong. It took the massive downsizing of government which resulted from demobilization and the foresight to free ourselves right away from the socialism that ultimately bankrupted Britain.
As a rule, a sentence should not end in a preposition. http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/prepositions_ending_a_sentence.htm Lyle's juxtaposition of the preposition is awkward and adds nothing to the title.
How about by introducing the industrial model with unionization in 1959 in a Midwestern state? How about by dismantling discipline via destructive interest groups like the ACLU? You think of a couple more.
"How did liberals dumb down the schools? How about by introducing the industrial model with unionization in 1959 in a Midwestern state? How about by dismantling discipline via destructive interest groups like the ACLU? You think of a couple more." Bernie replies.. Eisenhower was asked to run for president. Asked which party would he choose. It is not that important. What irks me is those that enter upon the road and go into the gutter either left or right and once there they scope up stones and throw them at those on the road. {Paraphrasing there} As to “dumb down” education say from your 1959 date. I would speculate Republicans. Their financial proneness is the most lacking and failing since Hoover to the present. {Exception Ike} Lack of financial security would be demonstrated in the social services. Education being one of the first to experience financial instability. Industrial Revolution started in England in late 18th century. Men, women and children soon exploited by factories. Long hours, No days off, poverty pay, living in housing held by the factory. Rent, food controlled to maintain laborers poverty. Page1.… To be continued
Industrial laborers contested by banning together. Combinations as they were referred to was brought to court and declared illegal. By the “Combination Act”1799-1800. Not until 1824 did they overturn that ruling. 10 years later 6 English farmers were convicted of illegal oath-taking [joining a union] and deported to Australia. They were known as the Tolpuddle martyrs In the U.S. , first trade to go on strike was the US Printers of New York. Followed by {two years later} cabinet makers, one year later ,Philadelphia’s carpenters. The industrial leap started in the 1830’s. sparking the demand for unions. After Civil War unions came to flourish. National Labor Union emerged in 1866. Existed less than a decade but it did persuade Congress to require a maximum of an eight hour day, for Federal Workers. American Federation of Labor of 1886 founded by Samuel Gompers. He was herd to say “ Show me the country that has no strikes and I’ll show you the country that has no liberty”! Now as Wisconsin to get not the word until 1959 ? Well that brings us back to education. Seek it and yee shall know. {Hint}.. Ike strong supporter of unions and the beginning of the JFK/ LBJ era was on the horizon.
"--red, that rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition is not an actual rule of grammar. As a rule, a sentence should not end in a preposition. http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/prepositions_ending_a_sentence.htm Lyle's juxtaposition of the preposition is awkward and adds nothing to the title Bernie replies; “From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I shall not put.” Winston Churchill
I've been through plenty of recessions and this one is different. I don't directly hold Bush responsible and I don't have unrealistic expectations for either the current administration or a new one. This is global and the crisis isn't over. We have yet to restructure banks and Wall Street. I do blame Obama for that and passing up the opportunity to change the system that put us in this mess. He had the opportunity to either restructure the financial industry or pass healthcare reform, he chose healthcare reform. BAD CHOICE! We are still as vulnerable or even more vulnerable than we were before. That's where we should be focused.
"It took a war that shut down all domestic production and government funds to finally bail out the economy. Wrong. It took the massive downsizing of government which resulted from demobilization and the foresight to free ourselves right away from the socialism that ultimately bankrupted Britain." Bernie replies; Disagree. Observe how F. D.R. with the genius of Marriner Eccles focused on strengthening the middle class. Engine to our financial establishment is sustained with a flow of liquidity. Middle class are the consumers that produce liquidity via their rapid expenditures for consumption of products produced. Preventing that, by hording the wealth to a few, decimates the consumers for production of products and its consumption. Eliminate consumer no products sold. Business fail . Game over? Example;… 5 people playing poker. Game progresses and the pot goes to 2 winners. They play as long as the other 3 have credit. When that is gone, game over. Page 1 of 2 continued
Note; at that time of F.D.R. the 1% of the population held 43% of the nations wealth. Presently 1.2% hold 40% of the wealth. Middle class lost a big hand. Game nearly over. Strengthen the middle class by infusing health and prosperity becomes the responsibility of the government. Incorrect polices that stimulate the 1.2% will hasten the termination of the game. It is now time to stimulate the middle class to increase liquidity. “if” you wish to keep the game going. I speculate republicans will want to extract a greater debt from the middle class as they speculate the margin is significant enough, at 3% plus. I consider this naïve gambling and with a few more hands played, the game will be ended . War is debt to nation. Gone are the days of plunder to the Victors. Germany being saddled with a burdensome debt organized themselves and attacked their oppressors. Observe Allied’ response as victors. Lesson learned did not fine the nations that lost the war. They rebuilt them to keep communism to gain a foot hold in an impoverished culture. Increasing debt to the victors. Liberal International Free Trade Marketing make war an unprofitable pursuit. “And the {WALL} comes a tumbling down"….
Page 2of 2 continued Note; at that time of F.D.R. the 1% of the population held 43% of the nations wealth. Presently 1.2% hold 40% of the wealth. Middle class lost a big hand. Game nearly over. Strengthen the middle class by infusing health and prosperity becomes the responsibility of the government. Incorrect polices that stimulate the 1.2% will hasten the termination of the game. It is now time to stimulate the middle class to increase liquidity. “if” you wish to keep the game going. I speculate republicans will want to extract a greater debt from the middle class as they speculate the margin is significant enough, at 3% plus. I consider this naïve gambling and with a few more hands played, the game will be ended . War is debt to nation. Gone are the days of plunder to the Victors. Germany being saddled with a burdensome debt organized themselves and attacked their oppressors. Observe Allied’ response as victors. Lesson learned did not fine the nations that lost the war. They rebuilt them to keep communism to gain a foot hold in an impoverished culture. Increasing debt to the victors. Liberal International Free Trade Marketing make war an unprofitable pursuit. “And the WALL comes a tumbling down….
To answer the question regarding whether Joe America is educated enough to vote on the issues - a resounding NO! The last election proves this out - we had people who had never voted in their lives come out of the woodwork to vote for Obama, the first 'black' (read Muslim) candidate. These people didn't know or care what the platform was, and made no effort to look into the issues. This election was entirely race motivated and won by multitudes of illiterate votes.
Just obtained a book on my kindle fire that is adapted to the digital age of information. Book has links per paragraph or phrase to source. End of each chapter gives detailed sources and links. As I was reading, I thought of you and how much you would appreciate this means for researching. Have bought several books for my kindel library. Savings on the discount I get through Amazon has already paid for my kindel. {$25 for $10} The other books are not as well adapted. Digitaly, as “Bulls Bears and the Ballot Box by Bob Dietrich & Lew Goldfarb. Imagine a library that fetch the source books for you without leaving your desk to hunt them down. Independent searches can also be made by requesting your search source. Just thought I’d run this by you… Adieu …
"If you feel an individuals morality is not to be legislated, the LGBT community shouldn't enter into the political scope either, but it sure does. We've allowed Big Brother into our lives through said legislation, so we are in a situation where we can't pick and choose. Our private lives are now under the government's microscope, and always will be. To answer the question regarding whether Joe America is educated enough to vote on the issues - a resounding NO! The last election proves this out - we had people who had never voted in their lives come out of the woodwork to vote for Obama, the first 'black' (read Muslim) candidate. These people didn't know or care what the platform was, and made no effort to look into the issues. This election was entirely race motivated and won by multitudes of illiterate votes." Bernie replies; After reading your comment you reminded me of what Winston Churchill once said on this subject, that you remind me of your being one who resides in "Bliss".. “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. “
Let's see, a social democrat-embraces Marx, a liberal progressive-more government in our lives, not for me Lyle but thank you for your insightful identification of your true self.
"Bernard, have you ever gotten the Patch Tolstoy warning? Just wondering!" Bernie replies; Why yes, but found a loophole. I’m not Tolstoy… Patch compliments me. I inhale its fragrance as a perfume. But I will not drink it…
"@Brian Dey...What specific Obama policies are you speaking of that directly impact your business? Bernie replies; “Peak Oil” supplies are depleting. Pressure increases for Alternative’s. I agree ethanol from a food product is not preferred. Obama’s investment in the R&D of alternatives is producing innovations that are rapidly improving Green energy systems that are overtaking the earlier versions of Green energy. In this particular field they have developed an algae that produces ethanol. Presently they have a prototype manufacturing plant in Florida and full scale plant in Texas in operation. Has been tested by a ship called the Forest. 20,000 gallons for test run. U.S. Navy very interested. Algae require large supply of CO2 for conversion. Banks were restructured, though not completed, with the Volker Rule passed May 2010. Prevents banks from derivative trades. As this gains steam for full implementation bond traitors are nervous and want to change over to hedge funds for the liquidity of trading. Large banks frown on the migration of traders and intimidate them to remain with bonds. Page 1 of 2 continued
Elizabeth Warren constructed the structure for the new agency in collaborations with Frank Dodd and Obama. Republicans have expended $350 million to lobby its repeal and or watering it down. Health Care reform will create a larger insured consumer base for medical services. Reduction in Health Care premiums rising will be hampered and eventually reversed. USA is presently at a growing disadvantage on Health Care as it is to its competitors, They are presently receiving outsourcing medical procedures to nations that have Health Care services at ½ to 1/8th our cost to service. BIG leak there. Our vulnerability has decreased not stagnated as you are inferring. Growth is slow but it is growth that leads all other nations in the same mess. Curious China is now facing their potential of falling productivity. Could be just a correction, for their past rapid acceleration. Slow steady growth has its benefits as well. Provides greater security against inflation. We are on the right path, now if we could remove the obstacles perhaps then we could accelerate weee bi faster. Not to fast though or another problem could arise faster than we could compensate to stir around it.
"Lyle Ruble, Let's see, a social democrat-embraces Marx, a liberal progressive-more government in our lives, not for me Lyle but thank you for your insightful identification of your true self." Bernie replies; Karl Marx is not a political sovereignty. Marx [1818-83] is theorist for the various strategies that government go through from one state of sovereignty to another. Transnational theorist explaining the evolutions of governments. Your comment is chaotic, muddled, confused. Short of it ,moot.
As for the rest -- it seems to me that a large portion of the electorate who are bent on removing Barack Obama are doing it because of the color of his skin. You presume to go into the minds of people who voted for him? I'll presume right back. By the way, he is not a Muslim. Either he attended The Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Christian church for eight years or he didn't. You can't have it both ways.
"@ Bernie Is this ideology to be supported, to continue? I am not the decider for society. They must support what they believe . Thats democracy. Is the 2 party system a bit of a shell game ? Of course it is . However, the deficit at 16 trillion is a wake up call as we Survival mode has few options when the can is kicked down the road time and time again. . The sheep will continue to graze and eventually realize that dirt doesnt taste too good. But that option is on the ballot more than names. The choice has never been easier . But we shall see .............." Bernie replies; Question was not answered. Yet the sheep theory of yours remains. Does this imply we should send the GOP more sheep for their corral. Deficit at 16 trillion? So what is the breaking point? What is your point? Republicans have no fear of it. They want to recall the brakes Obama put on their banks derivative trading that got us into this mess. They want to party like its 2008. Bailout money to the banks used to pay huge tax free bonuses in the millions to the executives that Failed. Sure you know what your talking about…NOT!
I began grade school in 1955, and I have to tell you, I don't recall much of a difference in my teachers or my curriculum beginning in 1959. I'm not sure when the 'dumbing' began, but it wasn't liberals. It was educators trying to find a better way of teaching kids to read and do math. Going after every new fad is not necessarily the best idea.
"It is a liberal fiction that conservatives seek to end entitlements. What conservatives want same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.” –Thomas Jefferson" Bernie replies; Contradiction here there through out your comment. One; Conservative want entitlements to be frugal. Top ten oil companies in 2010 paid zero taxes, refunded tax returns for each in the multimillions. Welfare [entitlements] in the Multibillions. 1.2 % of our populace hording 40% of nations wealth. Just gathering moth balls. Taxes paid less than 14% if that. Main street USA paying up to 35%. USA held hostage for the elitist demands for ransom. Time for a cool , cool, cool change. Elitist sit on their Olympian mount amusing themselves watching those that fall prey to Maidus’ treacherous shoals of the cronyism’s Wall Street fortress. “The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.” –Thomas Jefferson" Do you even read the words you use? I would define ..”Ruled by a small elite” as the 1.2 % that hoard the 40% of wealth, of our USA, as the small elite. Same one’s that own those oil companies and charged their debt for their derivative trading failures to our Main Street USA to the tune of $11Trillion.!
The alternative would be even more awkward and wordy. A general 'guideline' of good writing style, especially in titles, is not to tie yourself in knots.
"Lyle, Cont... And please stop whining about Congress. His first two years he had majorities in both chambers. Half of his Presidency he owned everything and the only thing we got was Obamacare which the majority in every singel poll taken, don't want and that spite of Obama policies. You lefties keep pointing to the tax policies but there was nothing wrong with the policies. The raising of the revenues is the problem and your guy wants to spend more. 24% of GDP is government spending under Obama and it was 19.9% under Bush, and the highest since the World War II era. But why be confused by facts, Lyle." Bernie replies; Only thing we got was Obamacrae? Duhh where have you been? Go do your own research as anyone with a tad of knowledge of the polices that were passed in those two years makes out as a liar. Sinle poll that did not show positive for Obama was Rammusin a right field poll. Even Fox Network has Romney at 40% and Obama at 49% the rest of your trash is just that trash. Did you hear about Katrina taking out all those make believe democrats. How could YOUR polls mess up so bad? Your comments are moot.