At the end of last year, I wrote a series called “Ten ways to take a stand against ignorance.” Many of the suggestions there are especially important during election years.\u00c2\u00a0 An informed electorate is the best defense against political claptrap of all kinds.<\/p>\n
After seeing some of the idiotic finger-pointing and “yes you did, no I didn’t” carryings-on from this current United States presidential election campaign, I offer the following suggestions (in conjunction with the other ten) for anyone who wants to become a better informed voter.<\/p>\n
It is essential to pay attention to multiple viewpoints, because no one source has a lock on the facts.\u00c2\u00a0 If you see a comment that intrigues or annoys you, go see what some other news source (preferably one that leans toward “the other side”) has to say on the matter.\u00c2\u00a0 There’s guaranteed to be more to it than any one news source offers.<\/p>\n
If you didn’t see the original, make it your business to find out what it was, before you form an opinion.\u00c2\u00a0 Filtering all your information through someone else’s biases leaves you no option but to think like they do.\u00c2\u00a0 Make up your own mind.<\/p>\n
There are many web sites available to help you, such as snopes.com and factcheck.org.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t just nod at things that sound plausible.\u00c2\u00a0 The people we agree with can slip hogwash past us faster than anything.<\/p>\n
Do not try to explain away or excuse statements that make no sense.\u00c2\u00a0 If you can find transcripts of interviews and debates, read them.\u00c2\u00a0 What might sound good while a candidate is saying it may turn into gibberish when you see it written down.<\/p>\n
Intelligent people change their views if new information makes it feasible.\u00c2\u00a0 People who stubbornly cling to the same old views regardless of how the situation changes are living proof that Emerson was right:\u00c2\u00a0 A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.\u00c2\u00a0 The person who’s willing to keep learning and willing to change his or her opinion is light-years ahead of the person who says “I know all I need to know” or “My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with the facts.”<\/p>\n
It helps to have a working knowledge of recent history, but that’s not something that is accomplished overnight.\u00c2\u00a0 Too many of us were bored silly in history classes in school.\u00c2\u00a0 Too many of our classes had to slog through ancient history for too long and never got close to the present day.<\/p>\n
Call your local public library and ask to speak to a librarian.\u00c2\u00a0 Ask for a good book on 20th century history.\u00c2\u00a0 Make sure your preferences are clear.\u00c2\u00a0 Not too long?\u00c2\u00a0 Not too technical?\u00c2\u00a0 Not too focused on single issues?\u00c2\u00a0 Whatever will appeal to you–ask for it and listen to the recommendations.\u00c2\u00a0 Then, of course, read the book.\u00c2\u00a0 Once you have a feel for what happened in the 20th century, you can better appreciate what makes sense in the 21st.<\/p>\n
Above all, regardless of your choice of candidate, make it a point to go and vote on Election Day.\u00c2\u00a0 In many states it’s not too late to register if you haven’t already.\u00c2\u00a0 If you think it’s too difficult for you to get to the polls, request an absentee ballot.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s not too late for that, either.\u00c2\u00a0 Let’s stop putting dimwits in office, by not being dimwits ourselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At the end of last year, I wrote a series called “Ten ways to take a stand against ignorance.” Many of the suggestions there are especially important during election years.\u00c2\u00a0 An informed electorate is the best defense against political claptrap … Continue reading