Citizen Slackers

What is the proper role of the citizen in modern times? How informed and engaged do we really need to be? For some bleak statistics on the state of the American civic mind, see the recent Pew study on "Public Knowledge of Current Affairs" at:
http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=319

One thing's for sure -- if we truly want wiser and more effective government, we truly need wiser and more effective citizens. It's a simple syllogism for a self-governing society, but no one in the public spotlight will ever discuss it. So I thought I'd ask the candidates for president who among them has the courage to challenge us, the people -- the citizen slackers -- to ask us why so many of us are unwilling to invest the time and effort necessary to perform the full measure of our citizen responsibilities? And what the candidates might do to try to reverse the curse of civic apathy in America.

Jeffrey Abelson
Los Angeles

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• citizen
• apathy
• civic
• ignorance
• democracy

[Jcolinsol]

Actually, I think that political apathy is just an acknowledgment of the truth.

If I'm to be absolutely honest with myself, I don't know what's best for other people, and a little philosophical delving shows that I can't possibly know what's best, and that there is no singular best policy for everyone.

So why should I participate in a political system which would only push my subjective political views on others? That seems extremely anti-social.

[citizenslacker]

@Jcolinsol

That's a thoughtful perspective. But the goal of a serious citizen should not be to ram one's ideas down anyone else's throats, but to engage with fellow citizens to define for yourselves the best approach to solving a given problem that you can all agree on -- providing a unified mandate for politicians to undertake the kind of big fixes we all know the country needs. Pushing one team's version of "answers" over another is ineffective and unsustainable.

[marinavigilance]

If we abandon our responsibility nothing will improve. You're right; we have to step up, think well, and make our voices heard.

[nunsofneath]

Cool, clear, and shocking

[vento4277]

Excellent point... I hope your question will make it to the debate. I would love to hear the responses. ...well done..a succinct presentation.

[jeffcannata]

Dead on true !  Hopefully this type of "lighting a fire under everyones asses" may help to put out the fires.

[sgbnyc]

Great question...and great video, Jeff! I hope Richard Dreyfuss sees this!  And I hope it gets used in the debate!

[tooosweeet]

Good video, I hope to see your question in the debates.

[blue4eyes20]

Great question :)