I caught part of an interview with Bill Maher today on CNN. He was asked why so many Americans seem indifferent to the fact that democracy is on the ballot this Tuesday, that we are in danger of losing our democracy. And he said that younger people today can't see themselves losing something that they don't know they have. Separation of powers? Three branches of government? What are they? He said they stopped teaching civics a long time ago in this country. Is this true? I hadn't thought of it as one reason for the indifference. I've heard that they quit teaching handwriting in school, which is incredible enough. Have they really stopped teaching civics?
No idea about what is and is not currently taught, but it certainly needs to be, a lot of adults appear to also need remedial education. I noticed many years ago the old fogeys most loudly complaining about lack of civics education, are they themselves often totally ignorant (see Donald Trump). So I guess either they were never educated about it, or received an alternate facts form of education where they see “civics” as some bizarro patriotism indoctrination rather than a “matter of fact” lesson about the structure and workings of government.
I remember doing a panel about 12 years ago and someone asked what the downside of technology was, and I said it was the loss of an individual’s privacy rights. We can argue about politics until we are blue in the face, but if you are 30 and under in this country and your political/social awareness starts with the great financial crises (and trillion dollar corporate bailouts while corrupt bankers and rating agencies still roamed the streets), then continued into the digital age of comfortable rabbit holes, through the duality of Trumpism and the far left, have only (mostly ) seen justices appointed from a preset Federalist Society list of acceptable candidates, then into the binary Covid years with required and prohibited jabs, etc., (with trillions $$ more of free money for all), with each POTUS grabbing more and more unitary power while Congress fails miserably at doing its job, why would you remotely think our society is democratic and free? Because once a year they get to pull a lever for some polarized candidate who only governs for their own team? That’s hardly enough. I get it why young people care less than we did. It’s because their parents have completely screwed up the American experiment. We’ve gone from The Greatest Generation to the Greediest Generation in less than 50 years. No democracy has lasted forever, nor will ours. That much is guaranteed.
Ok I’ll bite. With this being midterms and no national candidates on any ballots…hence all the elections are congressional districts or individual state wide representatives for senate and Gov with all 3 being elected representatives and none appointed….how exactly is ‘democracy on the ballot’ ? I’m assuming bill Maher ‘ democracy on the ballot’ is considered the possible results either way a bad thing for a democracy ?
Because election deniers are running for office all across the country, including positions that control elections, paving the way for return of the man who would be king in 2024. (Gee, I wonder in whose favor they will control elections. These are the same people who say our elections are fraudulent. And they're determined to prove it! You can't make this stuff up.)
my kids are 5 and 2 so I wouldn’t be the best person to ask. I grew up in private school in tampa and well versed in civics and we plan the same for ours. I can let you know in about a decade
I think it’s because many - most? - candidates are election deniers. That in itself shows a lack of respect for the democratic process. (Is there are other way to look at it.) In addition, there is the fear, based upon the denial, that many of those elected, such as secretary of states and governors, will rig (in its broadest sense) future elections. I’ve always wanted republicans in office, but I’m extremely leery of today’s republicans. I would think anyone who cherishes our democracy would feel the same way. I can’t emphasize enough that this isn’t about policy. We can all argue about that. It’s about having a vibrant two party system where we have in Congress a wide range of viewpoints, not just one.
As you should be. "Today's Republicans" are the true RINOs. If you want to see a true Republian, may I suggest Liz Cheney.
if someone were to say “ if you want to see a true democrat, may I suggest tulsi gabbard” your answer would be …..
A true democrat? I thought she had already left the party. And she has some outlandish views, as I recall in general. I also recall thinking that she's kind of hot.
That she's welcome in the party. As I said, a wide range of viewpoints within and between parties are welcome, indeed, essential. The world isn't black or white, so compromise is essential. Both parties err to the extent they don't seek it.
BTW, when you mention Gabbard, you're confusing views with oath of office. Few liberals agree with Cheney's views, but most all of us admire and respect her for her allegiance to the Constitution and to her oath of office.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/12/democrats-interfere-republican-primaries/ Democrats spent 10s of millions of dollars in nine states to bolster election deniers. Either the dems don't believe the sh!t they are selling to their ignorant base or they are willing to risk our democracy for personal gain. Regardless, I hold them in contempt. PS WaPo is not a far right newspaper.
Democracy is on the ballet, lol. Voting to end voting is a tricky slope. Should I vote to end all voting or not vote to end all voting? It’s a real conundrum
