So I talked with 3 random Americans.... [View all]
... one at a diner and two at a Good Will store. None of them knew we were in the midst of a constitutional crisis, that we might lose Social Security and the ACA if a Kavanaugh-reinforced Trump has his way and shuts down Muellar. None knew what the difference was between the two major parties. "All politicians are the same" was the standard position.
When I suggested they start reading newspapers they said they couldn't trust any of them and they just switch off TV news. These weren't pro-Trump people (who are not worth any drop of logical discourse). They were low-information NON-voters. And there are MILLIONS of them.
A huge cross-section of America has become poorly educated, disengaged and disenchanted. They aren't angry at the status quo like we here at DU. They have retreated from ANY form of mature adult engagement with civic life. They work and consume what little they can afford.
So we must reach out to them. We must be street diplomats, bringing them back into a relationship with the democratic process. I told the waitress at the diner to consider looking at one of the more "fun" news aggregators like RawStory. It's not perfect, but it's a tad easier on tired eyes than, say, the Washington Post or Mother Jones. She said she might try it. I was encouraged. All is not lost.
WE HAVE TO PATIENTLY AND PERSISTENTLY TALK WITH OTHER AMERICANS OR WE WILL LOSE THIS GREAT EXPERIMENT IN DEMOCRACY. THE INTERNET ALONE WILL NOT SAVE US.
And I recommend handmade, across-the-pumper signs saying:
Raise the minimum wage:
VOTE FOR DEMS NOV. 6
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