"Just How Stupid Are We?" author Rick Shenkman on The Alcove

Recorded in early summer 2008, this is a timely and important conversation with Rick Shenkman. Shenkman is the author of the new book "Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the American Voter". He is also the founder and editor of George Mason University's History News Network and an associate professor of History there.

In this interview, Shenkman discusses our need to focus on the electorate's general lack of informed understanding of civics and what is most important in today's political process. The consequences of this have never been more vital.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Alcove
• Mark
• Molaro
• Janet
• Lawler
• Rick
• Shenkman
• Just
• How
• Stupid
• Are
• We
• History
• election
• 08
• Obama
• McCain
• civics
• government

[arzoyan]

The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion

the real source of evil. Albert Einstein 1949

[arzoyan]

@Assaultpredator For the ruling elite to control and dominate the immense humanity they use ideological manipulation,religion,educatio­n system,nationalism,racism etc, to divide to rule and rule to gain. We need to share the Earth in cooperation for our common needs and well being .

[punchthedog]

Just because I advocate a method of weeding out the imbeciles from the electorate does not mean I want some sort of 18th century class system. Look at it this way: Everyone has the right to get a driving licence, provided they demonstrate a degree of competence behind the wheel. Surely you would not advocate letting anyone drive without any instruction or test. Simpletons, lunatics, even the blind? If you want to see just how stupid the electorate can be, examine the case of Alvin Greene in 2008

[Truthseaker001]

If you want to get down to the main reasons that the American public is uninformed, I see two. One, we have been working longer hours for less money for the past 30 years, meaning we don't have as much time to discuss anything meaningful with each other, even if it were on our minds. Two, the media is owned by those who prefer us to be as ignorant as possible so that we are easier to manipulate. When you get off work, you need comedy to make your life bearable, so watch the news, it's a joke!

[Truthseaker001]

@punchthedog Yeah, and while we're at it, let us bar anyone who doesn't look like you and share your taste in beer from voting too. Oh yeah, none of those women need to vote either, and how about those poor people? And people who don't own land? Hell, why not just limit it to about 30% of the country, maybe the rich white guys just like back in the good old days.

[Truthseaker001]

@vivalaresistanc How completely true. I saw the report where they proved that viewers of Fox news knew LESS than people who watched no news at all! For that to be true, Fox has GOT to be teaching falsehoods.

[CobinRain]

Talking about teaching civics in high school here reminded me of a friend, a Berliner, who got a scholarship to spend his senior year at an American high school. He told me that his civics class consisted of the teacher telling the kids why the American political system was perfect, best in the world etc. One day in class my friend asked: "isnt it dangerous for the president to have so much power?" All looked horrified including the teacher.And he was called "Wolfie the commie" ever after.

[Celestron137]

Kudos to Rick Shenkman!!!

Please do more interviews and have a page in Facebook.

[firepaw2010]

they never how other countries voters are alos uninformed. i'm not saying they are as uninformed, but it is not just a problem in america and i would rather live somewhere in america then a communist country like china

[akbar1515]

THANK GOD I AM NOT AMERERICAN

[JanMelet]

With people like Rick Shenkman there is still hope for America.

[vivalaresistanc]

Republicans are pretty stupid. Fox News spreading it out are an increasing rate.