Political Apathy is the Real Problem

I saw a woman at a town hall today arguing against health care reform. She said that she’s never been interested in politics before now. She then went on to misrepresent the Democratic healthcare proposal, either because she is a liar or was just completely ignorant. I’m betting it was the latter, because she seemed sincere. Isn’t that the real problem with our Republic? Don’t all the other problems we face stem from apathy?

Iraq. Domestic spying. Torture. The violation of our Constitution. Private armies running wild in our name. Just name the problem. If people were more attentive, more interested in politics and current events, wouldn’t this country be a better place? Wouldn’t it be more difficult for special interests to convince people to vote against their own interests?

Perhaps if people were more educated with regard to our government they’d understand the issues. We can blame the lack of civics classes in schools, or we can be honest and blame the individual. Agree or disagree with me about how we should run our country. That’s not the issue to me. Ignorance is the issue. Understand the problems that face us. Understand the Constitution. Understand good government. At least try.

Some people think that the only time they are “required” to understand politics is when they are personally affected. Nonsense. As an American citizen, one is always required. Those who say, “I hate politics”, or “politics doesn’t interest me”, or “I’m too busy”, are really saying, “I like tyranny. Please enslave me and tell me what to do.” Nothing boils my blood more than this.

It is the duty of the American citizen to understand his or her government. It’s a duty. Failure to do so, as we’ve seen more than once in the past, only invites tyrants (and wannabe tyrants) to grab power and subvert the rights of the individual.

We were warned by our Founders. They believed, as do I, that Liberty is frail and fleeting while tyranny is the only human constant. Our failure to understand our government and know, at least at a basic level, what’s going on is not the fault of elected officials. We are required to educate ourselves and get involved and our refusal to do so is our refusal to be Americans. It’s a refusal to honor our Founders.

And for those who like to invoke the sacrifice of our military when it suits their purposes, failure to be educated and involved is a dishonor to those who have risked life and Liberty to protect the Republic.



2 Responses to “Political Apathy is the Real Problem”

1. Brooke says:

   September 3, 2009 at 6:45 am

   I think that with the politic will always be problems, because there will always be disgruntled people.

   Reply
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