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Studies Say Ideology Trumps Facts
Anti-Globalism writes "We like to think that people will be well informed before making important decisions, such as who to vote for, but the truth is that's not always the case. Being uninformed is one thing, but having a population that's actively misinformed presents problems when it comes to participating in the national debate, or the democratic process. If the findings of some political scientists are right, attempting to correct misinformation might do nothing more than reinforce the false belief."
I know any number of people with PhD and Master's degrees whose inability to reason critically is absolutely staggering to the point that I wonder how they manage to function at all.
Since all Republicans only (like Rush Limbaugh) have high skool edjumications, these must be Democrats you are referring to.
"I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
Unfortunately, it takes two to tango. IF the democrats had put up someone even reasonably qualifying for the office, they would have won. And yet again, they may prove to have made the same mistake again, choosing the MOST liberal senator out of the whole bunch. If they had picked like 85 instead of 100 on the list, this election would not even be in doubt...
we'd abolish the "party system" and institute electoral lotteries
Can't, the 'pubs made it illegal in all but 7 states. It was called electoral fusion, and we still have it in NY where I live. I originally came from PA, and it was a bit confusing at first to see a person on 6 different party lines, but once I found out what it was I see it can work a lot better. It still needs some tweaking, though. For example, your idea of abolishing parties probably violates the First Amendments's "freedom to petition and assembly". What can be done instead is eliminate the politician's ability to be the member of any one party. Sure, they can continue to court exclusively just the one party if they desire, but if you take the title away from them it makes it easier for the voters to actually look at their positions. In a recent small-town election, we actually had a Republican running on the Democratic ticket. Those politicians that continue to pay attention to just one set of values will eventually lose those voters who have moved on to other parties. It gives third parties a greater say in elections and allows people to vote for people who agree with more of their values than having to decide on just two diametrically opposed options.
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We're deliberately choosing the wrong answer - the wrong candidate - based on something other than the facts.
Its called Fox News.
Violation of just your vales and principles or everyone in America's? And a not trusting Obama because he was raised a Muslim is a violation of everyone in America's values and principles or just yours?