Jarred, I think being well-informed is important, but people who want a more well-informed electorate should also stress other aspects of responsible belief-formation. It's not enough to simply have all the facts; you have to see how they fit together and how your vote will be interpreted. Under the right circumstances a vote for a liberal Democrat could, in the long run, contribute to making the country more conservative in the long-term and a vote for a conservative Republican could usher in a Democratic majority down the road. (Personally, I think reformist Republicans should hope McCain loses so that the GOP takes a good four year-long look in the mirror instead of enjoying the lethargy that comes with such a long time in power.) And I think it's often very hard to tell who is properly assessing the justification and potential impacts of their votes--or, indeed, if we ourselves are.
Ashish
· 1 year ago
And speaking of the future of the Republican Party, Ross Douthat is on a roll.
All Comments
89% Cynthia McKinney
84% Ralph Nader
78% OBAMA
I was a bit surprised I was so Green Party. I mean, maybe I'm not.
83% Obama
76% McKinney
74% Nader
58% McCain
38% Barr
Nader 95%
Barr 68%
Obama 65%
McCain 31%
Jarred, I think being well-informed is important, but people who want a more well-informed electorate should also stress other aspects of responsible belief-formation. It's not enough to simply have all the facts; you have to see how they fit together and how your vote will be interpreted. Under the right circumstances a vote for a liberal Democrat could, in the long run, contribute to making the country more conservative in the long-term and a vote for a conservative Republican could usher in a Democratic majority down the road. (Personally, I think reformist Republicans should hope McCain loses so that the GOP takes a good four year-long look in the mirror instead of enjoying the lethargy that comes with such a long time in power.) And I think it's often very hard to tell who is properly assessing the justification and potential impacts of their votes--or, indeed, if we ourselves are.
http://rossdouthat.theatlantic.com/
84% Nader
76% Obama
53% McCain
30% Barr