I was talking with my barber today.

[shockey80]

She did not know what was in Obamacare. I told her what was in it and she was surprised. I asked her, have you ever heard of Citizens United. She said no. I explained it to her. Her mouth dropped. I told her to google it.

My barber is a women who is married, has three kids, about 30 years old. She is smart, very grounded, and she does not have a clue what is going on is this country.

[HipChick]

1. About 50% of the population don't care..

they don't vote either..

[Buns_of_Fire]

2. You're braver than I.

I usually don't discuss politics with anyone who has ready access to a straight razor.

[lpbk2713]

3. This explains why the GOP opposes the people's right to be informed.

They don't want informed voters. This is why they don't want to fund
PBS and NPR. And this explains the very existence of Faux Snooze.

[WinkyDink]

4. No, she is not "smart." What she is, is able to get through daily life. #BFD

[disillusioned73]

5. Unfortunately..

That is the vast majority of this country..

[Binkie The Clown]

6. Ah, barbers. I remember going to them a long time ago. :( nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. And people say the Democratic Party has no trouble getting its message out. . . . nt

[BigmanPigman]

8. I have a friend who is "willfully ignorant".

I have known her for 35 years and was my sister's roommate for a year. My sister gets so angry and irritated that she hasn't spoken with her in over 5 years. I am more tolerant but I still want to yell, "Wake the fuck up for once!" but somehow manage to tune her out and then I do not call her until the next major holiday.

[peggysue2]

9. Truth is . . .

the vast majority of Americans are not plugged into politics or issues that do not apply to them personally. Because they're struggling to attend to jobs, school, pay bills, take care of kids. Often they'll listen to friends and family then go with the flow.

I've been there, done that and remember vividly how frequently I felt overwhelmed. Those years, I tried to stay generally informed but nowhere near with the attention to detail I do now.

This is the 2nd post at DU I've read where a DU member has had a conversation with someone about basic issues--Citizen's United, healthcare--basically informing those individuals on the spot.

This approach takes patience and perseverance but change happens one person at a time. If we run into willing listeners then we should go for it. The reason this is important? A democratic Republic relies on an informed electorate for its lifeblood and health. If Trump's dismal performance teaches anything it's this--Beware the carnival barker, the man/woman who yells the loudest and promises the sun.

So, kudos for the effort! You did a good thing.

[Vinca]

10. A good chunk of the population couldn't name the Vice President for a million dollar prize.

But they can tell you about all the contestants on "Dancing With the Stars."

[femmedem]

11. If we all had a conversation like this a couple of times a year we could open enough minds to change

this country's trajectory.