Stupid voters enable broken government
POSTED BY: Niki2
UPDATED: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 20:27
VIEWED: 12310
PAGE 3 of 17
Quote:
Originally posted by Fremdfirma:Quote:
Originally posted by AnthonyT:
And now, don't you occasionally find yourself wishing that the chair had a switch on it?
Occasionally ?
I still like my exploding collars idea.
-F
Or at least a shock collar, like some people put on recalcitrant dogs...
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
I'm not arguing that any particular side is right, either.
Then I appologize, it seemed as you were.
Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
But the argument is being made by the article Niki cited, and apparently by Niki herself, that "Stupid voters enable broken government".
This leads to the question "What are we to do with those stupid voters?"
Unfortunately, "stupid voters" usually ends up being defined as "People who don't vote as I would". And the result of anyone controlling who can vote, by poll tax, literacy test, etc. is that the folks who don't vote the 'right' way - in the opinion of those controlling - don't get to vote.
The only answer I can see is to let folks vote for Barry or Bachmann if they wish, but try to convince them it's not the best idea.
If you have any other suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.
That is all you can do is try and get people to pay attention. That and convince them they (as a whole) are responcible for the outcomes.
Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
Or support the government they elected. This has been pointed out here as one of the problems with Pres. Obama's term so far. Many of his supporters, once he was elected, said "Our job here is done." and left him to try to deal with Healthcare and other issues without grassroots pressure and support.
I agree!
I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Bytemite:
It still seems like blaming the victims to me. If someone is dumb enough to get conned, they're still a victim, aren't they?
Not once they realize what is going on, but choose not to do anything about it.
I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Pretty sure they're still victims. Do you know how often a victim of a regular con ever gets compensation? Ultimately, if you can't bring the con-artist to justice for whatever reasons, there really isn't much you can do. And these politicians, they seem like con-artists to me. They ask for your support, take your money, and there's no guarantee they'll use it for what they said they'd use it for.
We have to make there be consequences, and no, them resigning from office or not being reelected is not a consequence that has any impact on them.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
The problem is we see that, and keep voting them in. I'm sorry but that old saying rings true in this respect, Fool me once, sham on you. Fool me twice, sham on me.
I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
The problem is that we do not agitate for a less corruptable system.
For example: the reason WHY money is so important to candidates is because broadcast advertising is so expensive. The FCC grants licenses to the bandwidth (which is owned by the people) for "the common good". Why can't it just require that airwave media provide a free set amount of advert time to credible candidates. (BTW- I would go for a 2-week moratorium on either paid or free political advert just b4 an election. That would reduce the amount of broadcast hysteria.)
Another thing: We should try to set in place more direct democracy.
Still, although government tends to rely on stupid voters, it's really not government that makes ppl stupid on a day-to-day basis. I really place blame for that on (corporate) media and religion. So, how do we stop corporate and religious brainwashing?
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Oh man, where to even start...
Well, by choice I'd start with reforms of the public education system, of course.
And I would terminate "faith-based" funding which is just cover for shelling out tax money to officially approved religions, in violation of the first amendment.
As far as media goes, I'd say nationalize broadcast but historically that's a bad idea, so I figure best way to do that is do away with the bullshit which ensures only corporations wind up with broadcast rights - MI has a kind of look the other way thing goin on with "pirate" radio, and some of it is pretty good, but of course with freedom of speech you get haters, racists and nutters too...
But without corporate backing they can't really dominate the airwaves like they do now.
Of course, if you'd rather solve it at a stroke than nitpick it to death - eliminate corporate personhood, OR, as has been mentioned, hold them "personally" accountable for criminal activity.
-Frem
I do not serve the Blind God.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Fremdfirma: I'd say nationalize broadcast but historically that's a bad idea,
I don't know, the BBC works pretty well.
I do not fear God, I fear the ignorance of man.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
This makes me think of two things:
1. When Princess Diana died, all of England and much of the world bitched and moaned about the evil paparazzi. I felt I was the only one thinking: stop buying every rag that prints a picture of Di, you morons. Then the photographers would stop chasing her. But the idiots just went out and bought more.
Yes, stupid people. Incapable of connecting cause and effect. Incapable of deciding NOT to be a part of the cause.
2. I was just reading about Perry and his "skepticism" of climate change, which reminded me of old threads on RWED. Otherwise intelligent-seeming posters stated their belief that scientists make all this up so they can get funding.
Ok, wait... Must get this off my chest...
Scientists falsify their research for money, but Big Oil and its politician leeches (Perry) would never do such a thing?
Scientists who have tenured jobs falsify their research for money, but Big Oil, with employment and income that depends solely on profit, would never do such a thing?
Scientists who work for educational institutions falsify their research for money, but Big Oil which exists purely to make a profit would never do such a thing?
Scientists who might make 100K or so a year falsify their research for money, but Big Oil controlled by managers/stock holders with million dollar bonuses/incomes funded by company profit would never do such a thing?
Scientists who must submit their work to peer-reviewed journals falsify their research for money, but Big Oil that only needs to stand up to the rigorous 
standards of Faux news would never do such a thing?
BTW, which science classes did Perry take in college? How were his grades?
Talk about stupid.
I really wish Perry would hold a town hall meeting in my town, and give me the mic.
Yes, I blame voters for being stupid and getting us into this mess. Reagan I can excuse, but Bush? In 2004 no less? Stupid stupid stupid.
It gives me an odd and dark sort of comfort, actually. If America crashes and burns, it's because we've earned it. Any society that puts Bachmann or Palin or Perry or Cain in charge is only a danger to the world and should clean the slate and start over. I only hope the crash and burn, if we don't wise up and avoid it, isn't too ugly. The fall of Rome was followed by 1000 years of darkness...
-----------------------------------------------
hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
This makes me think of two things:
1. When Princess Diana died, all of England and much of the world bitched and moaned about the evil paparazzi. I felt I was the only one thinking: stop buying every rag that prints a picture of Di, you morons. Then the photographers would stop chasing her. But the idiots just went out and bought more.
Yes, stupid people. Incapable of connecting cause and effect. Incapable of deciding NOT to be a part of the cause.
2. I was just reading about Perry and his "skepticism" of climate change, which reminded me of old threads on RWED. Otherwise intelligent-seeming posters stated their belief that scientists make all this up so they can get funding.
Ok, wait... Must get this off my chest...
Scientists falsify their research for money, but Big Oil and its politician leeches (Perry) would never do such a thing?
Scientists who have tenured jobs falsify their research for money, but Big Oil, with employment and income that depends solely on profit, would never do such a thing?
Scientists who work for educational institutions falsify their research for money, but Big Oil which exists purely to make a profit would never do such a thing?
Scientists who might make 100K or so a year falsify their research for money, but Big Oil controlled by managers/stock holders with million dollar bonuses/incomes funded by company profit would never do such a thing?
Scientists who must submit their work to peer-reviewed journals falsify their research for money, but Big Oil that only needs to stand up to the rigorous
BTW, which science classes did Perry take in college? How were his grades?
Talk about stupid.
I really wish Perry would hold a town hall meeting in my town, and give me the mic.
Yes, I blame voters for being stupid and getting us into this mess. Reagan I can excuse, but Bush? In 2004 no less? Stupid stupid stupid.
It gives me an odd and dark sort of comfort, actually. If America crashes and burns, it's because we've earned it. Any society that puts Bachmann or Palin or Perry or Cain in charge is only a danger to the world and should clean the slate and start over. I only hope the crash and burn, if we don't wise up and avoid it, isn't too ugly. The fall of Rome was followed by 1000 years of darkness...
-----------------------------------------------
hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left
Socialist and unashamed about it.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME