Are We Really That Stupid?

Are Americans really as stupid as Republicans seem to think we are? A previous post stated, “A recent survey indicated that over 40% of registered voters did not know how long it took for the earth to rotate around the sun. Even more frightening was the reported findings that almost half or 19% of those registered voters were convinced that the sun rotated around the earth.” It appears from all of the rhetoric coming from the Republicans seeking the party’s presidential nomination this is the level of knowledge these would-be candidates are trying to appeal to. One of the talking heads recently opined that the only people who might buy the Republican rhetoric are either stupid, uneducated, bigoted white men or those voters with so much wealth they can afford to back anyone for president. It is very obvious that republicans are no interested in the votes of educated women, the poor, minorities, immigrants, unemployed, and anyone employed earning under $250,000 per year. The only federal expenditures being promoted by these candidates is money for defense and tax cuts that mostly benefit the very wealthy. The results of recent primaries and caucuses have shown that no one candidate has yet to appeal to at least one-half of those voting. It is also interesting that the turnout for the past contests, whether elections or caucuses, is off by at least a factor of 30%. If they cannot fire up their base, how can any of these candidates expect to win over independents or people from the opposing party. The only appeal that seems to attract any voters is their rhetoric denying Obama a second term, much of which is based upon lies and misinformation. This may appear partisan but the intention of this posting is to draw attention the very real need for a true opposition. Opposition based upon facts and policy differences is good for the country. This type of opposition lends itself to compromise from both sides of the aisle. For too long, the opposition is not to policy but to person and that has resulted in inaction which is not good for the country. The country cannot afford status quo. Dislike of Obama does not create jobs, reduce the deficit, nor produce meaningful foreign policy. The country desperately needs an alternative that is more than “anyone but Obama”. Regretfully that alternative does not seem to be anyone in the Republican party interested in becoming President of the United States in 2012.