Political Apathy in America

Ever talked to someone about the recent political news, and received a reply like, "I don't really follow politics" or "I don't care about politics?" Or, have you met people who seem to have absolutely no idea what is going on in the world they live in, and would like to keep it that way, blissfully unaware?

It seems that there are many like that. Mention anyone from Barak Obama to John McCain, Cheney to Edwards, and some people just barely even know who they are. The comings and goings in Washington D.C. go completely unnoticed to many in the general public, and the laws that they pass seem to fly right over some peoples head. It's sad that many of these people go to the polls in elections and vote for candidates that they know virtually nothing about.

Granted, a vast number of Americans have at least a general grasp of what goes on in the government that runs our country. They stay up to date on relevant news and information, and know who they are voting for and why. It's good to know what is going on, and what is being discussed as potential laws in Washington. However, some Americans seem to have a sort of apathy about the entire political process, and act almost insulted when someone talks about politics. Granted, (and I can't stress this enough), it's important not to get too caught up in politics, and go overboard with it. There is a lot more that goes on in our world, and in our daily lives. That being said, it's good to at least stay informed. Try to stay balanced. Don't go far in any one sector.

Perhaps it's almost saddening when some people don't even know who the Vice President is. I was recently listening to the Sean Hannity radio show, and on it he interviewed people outside the radio station. Many of those he talked to could not even answer simple questions about whom the Vice President was, who Colin Powell was, who their governor was, etc. Some acted a little sheepish, but others simply did not care, and acted almost proud of their ignorance. Why should anyone be proud of that? Perhaps some people take their freedom too lightly, and don't appreciate it as much as they should. Or perhaps people are just too busy to pay any attention to the simplest of facts about the world outside their door. I'm inclined to think that a lot of people fall into the first category.

Educate yourself on why you vote the way you do. Take just a little time, and find out what is going on politically in Washington. While it's easy to get cynical about politics due to the corruption or inaction we see sometimes see in our government, don't let that keep you back. We are blessed to live in a country where we do actually have some say in what happens in our government, small as it may sometimes seem. Don't take this for granted.