Recently I heard an expression "Low Information Voters" I researched the subject and found some incredible facts.

2014-01-13T15:31:05-05:00

It seems (LIV) basically means people voting for politicians without knowing what they stand for, or what is actually going on in our country. I wasn't too surprised about the civilian side but when I began asking questions to soldiers about specific subjects I was astonished with the answers.

Out of 20 soldiers (ranging from 19 to 50 and enlisted to officers) only 5 knew what Benghazi was,
   Fast and furious 8 understood most of the facts but the others thought it had to do with Vin Diesel's movies.
   Second amendment rights? 10 didn't know what the second amendment was.

   Needles to say I am amazed at the lack of knowledge most of the soldiers had. I always thought soldiers kept up on what was going on because they were concerned with our country. Call me naive but as leaders are we not responsible for encouraging knowledge to our soldiers? I understand we have to be "politically correct" now a days but we're not talking about food we eat or entertainment, it's our country for God's sake!

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 13 at 2014 3:35 PM

2014-01-13T15:35:35-05:00

You sign up to defend the Constitution and you don't even know what is in it except MSM talking points and the BS coming out of talking heads. A very sad state of affairs. Is HS Civics class failing us that bad? Are the only times a Soldier pays attention to current events is when they are getting ready for the board?

I subscribe to a number of FB pages that routinely bombard with extremes from the left and right and Al Jazeera provides great information as well. How can you not be informed today?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 3:41 PM

2014-01-13T15:41:09-05:00

Doesn't surprise me. So many people don't do the research on not just our "leaders" but issues overall. I have spoken to many Soldiers over the years on a variety of subjects. Some can't even explain their position but just "feel" that way because of how they were raised or because of idiot talking heads. Sadly, we will continue to decline until people start standing up for what is right regardless of whether they like it or not.

Response by TSgt Ralph Huppert made Jun 6 at 2014 4:56 PM

2014-06-06T16:56:36-04:00

Well, I'll tell you, I'm rabidly political today. Most folks I know, including family members, would say....TOO political. But I wasn't at all, "back in the day". In fact, I didn't give politics much more than a second thought until Bill Clinton took office, at which point I cringed a little for having abstained. I was 32, had been born and raised by a fiscally/socially conservative father (though, atheist, so that constant connection from the left is always a point of amusement for me) who'd been an officer in both AF & Navy.

And when Clinton won a second term, I was mortified.
At that point, my rose colored glasses shattered, my view of my fellow Americans was tempered, and I realized how important it was to stand up and be counted.....and how important it was to become as mentally engaged as possible, lest I be one of the schmucks voting for perfect hair and a playboy grin, in SPITE of a conniving personality that showed almost NO respect for the office, but rather, focussed solely on power and poll numbers. I had "assumed" (yes, yes, I know) the majority of Americans would toss him to the curb in search of someone (from either party) who was more honest.

Anyway, without delving further into those weeds (as I'm sure my comments will elicit a strong response for my "unfair characterization"), it's become ABUNDANTLY clear - at this point - just how real and dangerous "low information" voting can be. But, just as I have been forced to recall my own shenanigans growing up, when dealing with my kids' transgressions, I have to remember when politics for me, was someone else's focus (I was too busy having "fun!").

And accordingly, I can't help but think and feel, I've earned my stress & frustrations.

Pardon the extended musings....

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 6 at 2014 5:13 PM

2014-06-06T17:13:57-04:00

Naive.

Had to do it after you told me to?

While it doesn't surprise me, I still keep praying for 'We the People' to take ownership of our responsibility. Everyone want to have their freedoms but for get that these freedoms come at a cost...often a very high price. It is sad that those who all too often pay that price are as ill informed as the rest of the sheeple out there.

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Jun 6 at 2014 5:46 PM

2014-06-06T17:46:27-04:00

I'm literally shocked almost every single day at the lack of knowledge possessed by people around me at what is going on in the World, our Society and our Federal and Local Governments.
Made even more reprehensible by the incredibly poor stories carried by our "News" Entertainment networks that don't even fill in the "5 W's" in the stories they carry. (If you don't know the 5 W's, way back in time they told us in school that every news story should include 5 elements, Who, What, When, Where, How and when available Why (Yes, I know that's 6 but usually you got either How or Why) and when you wrote your Public affairs papers you had to include those elements.)
While everyone is all over the Internet, far to few do any worthwhile reading to see what's going on and just suck down the spoon fed MSM pablum that keeps them entertained and uninformed.