[Oratam]

After the 2008 election, I concluded my fellow Americans had embraced communism. I was truly depressed for weeks afterwards.

Now, I realize a sizable segment of the American electorate: votes personalities, not policies; is apolitical but insists on voting; hated Bush so much that the perceived "anti-Bush" was the only way to go; really, really, really doesn't pay attention.

These people decide elections.

[Cboldt]

-- Now, I realize a sizable segment of the American electorate: votes personalities --

heheheheh.

Universal suffrage is "a bad thing." That's just the way it is, but damn, it's a hard sell.

[saminfl]

I am convinced the entire issue can be boiled down to the education system in this country. I don't know if they even teach American history anymore. When I was in school we had to memorize, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." Today, I would be surprised if any high school student even knew of Paul Revere and The Old North Church.

In 1985, I had a chance to spend a short time in Boston and walked part of the Freedom Trail. I got big time goosebumps when I stood in front of the Old North Church. A couple of years later, I got to visit Yorktown and the same thing happened to me.

Our kids teachers were dumbed down by this same education system so I don't see much chance of improvement in our education system.