This is the great question plaguing generations of political insiders. How do you get the average American to care about politics and the implications of voting?
Lets start by looking at why the average American hates politics. Is it the vile mud slinging that invariably comes with campaigning? Is it that politicians lack credibility and are seen as a bunch of blowhards? Is it that the public just doesnt want to deal with it?
I look back to the founding fathers and the typical citizen at the time of the Revolutionary War. These citizens were willing to not only get involved but they were willing to put their reputation, their property, and even their lives on the line for the things they thought were important. Apathy was not in their vocabulary. Why is it in ours?
We have lost the ability to debate without making the arguments personal. The founders had huge disagreements and yet they could fight all day at the constitutional convention and then go to City Pub at night and drink a beer and talk as friends. We should take this same approach to politics today. Let's debate the issues and at the end of the day just realize that we really want what's best, we just want to go about it a different way.
To be short, I don't know why we are apathetic. But I do know that we need to change how we do things. Let the disagreements begin, but at the end of the day remember that we are both trying to do whats best. Perhaps if we remove the personal out of politics we can actually accomplish something.
The need for a cool headed debate is certain!
ReplyDeleteNext campaign for local government MUST include debates hosted by Chamber of Commerce, Mothers of Duvall, and The Duvall Church. Otherwise people just rely on the fluff in the voters' pamphlet to see a side by side comparison.