DU'er need to realize they're more informed than 90+% of residents

[Harper_is_Bush]

This topic is inspired by Bennyboy's post:
My "liberal' Friend has never heard of D. Kucinich!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1996033

His "liberal" friend is perhaps perceived by him as a liberal-minded/progressive person, and on the surface they are that.

What DU'ers need to remember is the VAST majority of Americans are not educated on the subject of current politics as DU'ers are, even though those people are close to DU'ers in attitude and opinion.

There is a level of frustration that often manifests here about how reasonable people can accept lies from the right.

Always remember that most reasonable people are simply not aware of the things you are aware of by virtue of your involvement at DU.

That's why you always need to spread the word, without predjudice.

[Bennyboy]

1. Right you are.....

And quite frankly, they may not care as much as we do. I mean I have time on my hands to dig and research. I sign petitions and work on campaigns

But most people are joe six pack and when they are not working want to be entertained.

[Harper_is_Bush]

7. I think most of the people I described DO care, they're just not actively involved

Meet them at a party and talk to them about issues, and they're right on-side with you on all issues.

They're just now "wired", so they're unaware of much of the news that DU'ers don't miss.

[Skittles]

2. I consider their unawareness just plain ignorance

it doesn't take rocket science to know who all the presidential candidates are

[hfojvt]

18. It does though

since there are 27 or more people running for the Democratic nomination. You almost need cable TV or to read politics on the internet to be aware of more than the top 3, although both Richardson and Kucinich have been on the Tonight Show. Perhaps in one of the early states the newspapers will cover more candidates, especially if they visit.

[Harper_is_Bush]

22. unawareness = ignorance.

yes :)

[bdamomma]

24. exactly I am tired of hearing excuses for citizens who are not politically savvy

as a citizen they should know what's going on around them politically.

[gateley]

3. When I start speaking politics to several of my friends, their eyes start

glossing over. I just don't understand how they don't CARE.

[opihimoimoi]

4. Most likely the rsult of SLOTH

[havocmom]

6. We need to convince them that politics IS something that affects their lives

We need to raise awareness.

Actually, I think DU has done some good work in that direction. So much more to do though.

[opihimoimoi]

11. There has to be something the DEMs can do ...to make Civics grow EXPOTENTIONALLY

Make it into an ART FORM....Somehow....come on we can do it....THINK, DISCUSS, SOLVE

[havocmom]

13. One step: Run DEMs who think for local school boards

The RW took over school boards all over America for a couple decades. Not many schools teach civics and government anymore. Get people onto boards all over and get the classes back in the REQUIRED column.

Start with the schools. Think globally, act locally.

Speak out A LOT. One lone, sane voice is often all it takes to give others the courage to speak their convictions too instead of go along to get along. The right counts on winning through intimidation. People want to be on the winning side. When only one side makes lots of noise, people will jump on band wagon or just STFU. Don't believe me? Take a look back at the cowards in recent Congress who were so afraid to be labeled as not being AMERICAN that they voted badly and gave our nation away to evil men.

Raise your voice A LOT so your neighbors can hear. Take a stand and be bravely public about it. Gives others the courage/permission to do same. And it DOES snowball.

Again, it's an act locally thing anybody can do.

Get involved with local libraries. Make sure there is access to REALLY fair and balanced materials. Encourage programs that reach people and inform them.

Local again, but imagine if we did those local things in all our communities...

[opihimoimoi]

14. sending wine and hot lobsters....you got it right...

[havocmom]

23. Wine good. Lobsters? Keep those

Send good cheese if you can score some. DHS took away our ability to buy our favorite. Didn't know one particular French blue was such a threat ;)

[opihimoimoi]

30. LOL, I will learn of cheeses...

[Bennyboy]

10. Before the 2004 election my friends....

Would run in the opposite direction when they saw me coming.

[Beerboy]

17. I can relate;

as soon as you see their eyes gloss, it's time to change the subject quick. I've gotten pretty good at it, I don't initiate overtly political stuff, but when anyone has a question on our shift, I'm the go-to-guy.
Most people I know of any political persuasion consider politics so much bullshit that's just going to cost them more money.
To avoid social ostracism, you can only go so far.

[ecstatic]

20. If we lied and used fear tactics like rethugs

do on their talk/radio shows, that would certainly generate interest. But I'm glad that we don't. :)

[Hippo_Tron]

21. IMO, it's a matter of personal taste

When my friends talk chemistry I usually get bored pretty fast.

[Klukie]

36. I agree...

either you are politically geared or you are not.

[bdamomma]

25. well sooner or later something will bite them then they will know

what we are talking about, there is only so much denial a person can take, isn't there?

[midnight]

29. You are so lucky that they stay long enough to get their eyes to

glaze over. Most people don't know cuz they are very comfortable. They don't want to leave their zone. When some life event happens and they wake up. They will start to become aware. We all have had that moment.

[havocmom]

5. K & R cuz it is important for us to remember

The vast majority of Americans just don't have the stomach to follow politics as closely as the average DUer. We need to be mindful of that when framing discussion outside the scope of our little community.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. There are some people around these parts...

That would do well to print your post out and read it every time they feel the urge to post a condescending, insulting or just plain obfuscatory message on the part of their candidate.

The vast majority of us did not just fall off of the turnip truck.

[pscot]

9. That is a truely terrifying observation

We're in deeper shit than I realized.

[skids]

12. That's not to hard to realize...

...if you ever actually talk to anyone other than online politics junkies.

The eyes glaze over pretty fast once you hit more than one or two names they don't know.

[Bennyboy]

15. I like to play..."do you know"...

and them hit them with something I know they do not know but pertains to the subject we are discussing. Nothing too deep, or "out there" but simple facts that have gone unreported. Then I send them the links to he facts.

(I especially love to tell the Prescott Bush/Hitler connections which most people do not know of,even my liberal friends).

[KillCapitalism]

16. I've only been here a short time & I can see that.

I've tried to bring up random topics with people that I've read about here & everyone that I talked to was like "Huh? I've never heard about that." DU is pretty awesome, it's the anti-MSM!

[Divine Discontent]

19. excellent point,

most of us know this. when we speak to others they seem to be shocked to hear about stuff we inform them about.

[bdamomma]

26. yea, how many people even know about the PNAC?

alot of people don't, education is the key, wipe those cobwebs out of their heads. just my two cents.

[Bennyboy]

27. PNAC...Is that some kind of new football league?

[muffin1]

28. So true!

I used to work with a group of people who all (except my boss ;( ) said they were liberals. Yet, it was so frustrating. I was almost doing cartwheels the day I heard Scooter was indicted, I went running around telling my co-workers, and all I got back was a blank stare.
Same thing with Gonzo - "Hey, everyone! Guess what? Alberto Gonzales is really in the hot seat, now!" - again, blank stare.
I HAVE told many of my pals, neighbors, even favorite servers at restaurants (I frequently wear some kind of anti-repuke pin when I go out, and like-minded people always have a compliment) about DU.
DU has quite simply made my life better.:D

[BrklynLib at work]

31. I also went thru someting like this. Over the weekend I mentioned "Kucinich" to a friend I thought

was pretty bright and informed..she is a middle school math teacher.
She had never heard the name before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My jaw dropped,and I did not exctly know what to say to her..

[DeepModem Mom]

32. K&R

[BB1]

33. most of you can actually point out

USA on a map, and even Iraq.

I went to a high school where the locals were surprised we didn't use dollars in Europe ('94-'95, The Dutch were still addicted to 'de gulden').
Historical knowledge: none. (actual speech by one of my classmates Amanda B.: 'America is one of the oldest and greatest countries in the world...)

I love DU!

[ieoeja]

34. Your average Republican is a liberal.

They have just been misinformed on what liberal means.

[4_TN_TITANS]

35. Unfortunately,

our day of 'we told you so' is coming, but the satisfaction won't last as the ignorant ones pull us under the water with them.

[bonito]

37. K&R!

[Beelzebud]

38. The biggest problem America faces is that most of the populace doesn't give a shit.

Go out a bar on a saturday night, and try to talk about anything of importance with the average Joe. Most of them don't know, don't want to know, and don't really give a shit.

It's very depressing.