"--riverman" wrote in message
...
We may not be the most edumacated country on earth, but we certainly
are the most entertained.

--riverman

sort of my point, and it's one I have raised in political talks to various
groups for years now. The whole principle of governance laid out for this
nation, and elaborated upon frequently by Jefferson was this: A
representative republic depends on the involvement of an informed populace
with some level of education. We now live in a nation where vastly more of
the eligible electorate can identify the American Idol finalists than the
Justices of the Supreme Court. Where most folks know who Paris Hilton is,
but not who their US Representative is. A nation where an astounding 20%
think the sitting President is a practicing Muslim and 10% think he isn't
even a legal citizen. Is it any wonder that we have the political
representation we do?
All in all, I shudder when I give thought to the path this country is headed
down. It seems clear that we are heading to the oblivion of a fallen empire,
and pretty damned quickly. Can it turn around? Who knows? But, the issue
Jeff cites in the original post in this thread, as stated by Krugman, should
have an obvious response. No, no one is going to step forward, because so
few will care or take notice that it isn't worth the bother to try.
Tom