I believe that our country is asleep.

[tavernier]

Seriously.

Other than those who are politically aware, most people who I rub shoulders with just DO NOT KNOW what is transpiring. They don’t listen to news, don’t care about it, because all will be ok EVENTUALLY.

I go to work and bring up the news and they honestly have no idea.

Some say “yay trump”... others say “Yuck trump.” But they don’t really know or follow.

I’m discouraged that there is such an ambiguity.

[unblock]

1. I think there are many who are turned off by the pointlessness of political discourse in the USA.

It’s just not constructive. It’s all mean and insulting and tribal.

Many people tune out, and many more simply avoid it st all costs. I suspect a fair number feign ignorance in an effort to avoid getting into an argument.

[kimbutgar]

3. I know many people like that

Don’t care think both parties are corrupt. They are disengaged and just don’t care. They just want to survive.

[tavernier]

6. Agree.

I can protect my life and family here and that has little to do with what is going on in D.C.

[shraby]

2. It's always been that way, just more pronounced in these days of the internet.

There are some honest reasons. Working long hours along with family obligations is a big one. Some people are not politically minded for whatever reason, their minds are on a different wave length. They don't pay attention until they get gob-smacked with something important to them.

[tavernier]

7. Exactly.

Hard enough to work to make a living and hope for a Christmas tree with a bicycle under it for the kid. Can’t worry if some politician promises pie in the sky.

[dhill926]

4. I think a lot of folks are just living their lives...

and don’t have time to pay attention. If they realized why they don’t, things might change. But I get it, it’s tough for a lot of people just to get by day by day...

[Xipe Totec]

5. Most can't think beyond 4 legs good, 2 legs bad. nt

[Binkie The Clown]

8. They have been "educated" to believe that what they think has no impact in Washington.

And that their vote doesn't matter because "both parties are the same".

Once they get most people to be apathetic then they can win by simply energizing their base to get out an vote, and that's how the minority overrules the majority.

[tavernier]

9. I once asked a lady who she voted for

and she said, “Oh, we don’t do that.”

She meant that they relied on the people who were smarter and who knew what they were doing.

I think this country needs some help in educating our people!

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. many are anesthetized by really bad tv. Load of apathy. Intellect and learning devalued -

Dubya really accelerated that.

Pretty dark time, for sure.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

11. It's a result

Of the dumbing down of the country, which to me, began in the raygun years, with cuts to education funding and the demonization of teachers, among other things.

I don't think we, as a whole, are "asleep", I think we're just dumber than a bag of hammers. Intentionally and systematically.

Civics was a required class in high school. By the time my son got to the same school, civics was an elective. Now, I'm told by by daughter in law, who has a niece in high school, that Civics isn't even offered, and that the niece has no concept of what Civics even is.

[tavernier]

12. Good point. n/t