OPINION:
Jonathan Gruber was telling the truth in his numerous speeches of the past few years (“Jonathan Gruber and Obamacare undone by the ’stupid’ people,” Commentary, Web, Nov. 17). He knows that the American electorate is naive, uninformed and easily manipulated. Politicians knowingly try to keep voters in the dark, and they repeat their platitudes and talking points so as to solidify their thought process by repetition.
Yes, Mr. Gruber was right. Many American voters are stupid. Well, maybe not stupid, but certainly ignorant of the issues.
I am constantly appalled at the answers given by college students to questions asked by roving reporters with microphones. Most haven’t a clue when asked the simplest of questions about our government. Their complete ignorance on current issues and the positions of the respective candidates and parties is very disturbing. The same is unfortunately true of most of the voters on the street.
It seems everyone says voting is important and that it is our civic duty as Americans, but do we really want people totally ignorant of the candidates and their positions on the issues (or even the issues themselves) to vote? Mr. Gruber’s statements show us that politicians manipulate and deceive. If you don’t do some research to determine what is really happening, you will very likely have the wrong understanding of the issues. Unfortunately, the media, our supposed guardian, have become extremely biased and cannot be depended upon to provide us both sides of the issues so that we can make our own decisions.
People ignorant of the issues choose for whom they will vote for other reasons: race, looks, fancy vocabulary, even which politician is going to give them the most free stuff. It’s akin to going to the horse races and choosing a horse to bet on because you like its colors. Without doing some study, you are just about as likely to get it right choosing candidates as winning the horse race.
It’s no wonder our country is in such disarray. In fact, it may be the main reason Congress has such a low approval rating. We keep electing the same politicians, term after term. At the top of their agenda is re-election, and many will say whatever they think will accomplish that goal just to keep their seats. We really should reconsider term limits.
It’s a flawed system, but it’s still the best in the world. Maybe we should bone up and learn about the issues and candidates — or stay home on Election Day. Learning the issues is our real civic duty.
CHRISTOPHER S. MOODY
Gaithersburg
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