tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437330755377072584.post5037559404712146988..comments2009-12-10T01:05:15.051-08:00Comments on Political Participation: Shawn Poulinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06321441571834443397noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437330755377072584.post-29993992850264951862009-12-10T01:05:15.051-08:002009-12-10T01:05:15.051-08:00The state of political participation in America is...The state of political participation in America is inexcusable, and not just in terms of sheer volume of those participating. While your statistics regarding the number of voters in last year's election are appalling in themselves, they pale in comparison to the numbers of those who did vote who were not educated on the candidates and issues. Walking around a popular street in New York City, a prominent Radio host asked random pedestrians what they thought of Obama's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. The number of Obama voters who did not pick up on the trick question was staggering, as they rattled off reasons why they thought Palin would be a great Vice President. While I understand that only those who answered this way were the ones who made the show, it is completely unacceptable for ANY potential voter to not know who the Vice Presidential candidates are. And it's not as if Obama voters were alone in this ignorance. Voters on the McCain side were constantly libeling Obama as a communist, saying he wasn't even from America, and making racist ads that portrayed him as a monkey or a witch doctor. This kind of ignorance is unacceptable, and the only way to change it is through honest, non-partisan education of the American public.Zachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01557112718782838020noreply@blogger.com