Dumbed-Down Electorate And Their Fascist-Like Pseudo-Democracy

The Federalist Patriot ^ | Nov. 1, 2004 | Edward Zehr

[Lindykim]

"I wouldn't call it fascism exactly, but a political system nominally controlled by an irresponsible, dumbed down electorate who are manipulated by dishonest, cynical, controlled mass media that dispense the propaganda of a corrupt political establishment can hardly be described as democracy either." --Edward Zehr

[Lindykim]

If you've ever wondered what happens to the minds of people trapped behind Iron Curtains, wonder no longer, because we are surrounded by living, breathing, disattached-from-reality, brain-dead "examples."

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

You can thank our Teachers and their Union for that!

[Huck]

"I wouldn't call it fascism exactly, but a political system nominally controlled by an irresponsible, dumbed down electorate who are manipulated by dishonest, cynical, controlled mass media that dispense the propaganda of a corrupt political establishment can hardly be described as democracy either.

Actually, that sounds like democracy to me. What it ISN'T is republicanism, a long dead form of government.

[RKV]

"What it ISN'T is republicanism, a long dead form of government." Too true, more is the pity.

[Intolerant in NJ]

Dumbed-Down Electorate And Their Fascist-Like Pseudo-Democracy...dumber down sums it up - CNBC interviewed some workers in some diner in Penna this afternoon, the amount of silliness and stupidy was incredible - examples: "I'm going to vote but I won't tell who but we need a change"; "I'll vote for anybody but Bush because things are not good and we have to get better"...and this was supposed to be a "swing" district - real scary.....

[hermgem]

We are in fact fenced in, surrounded, bombarded, spun by a left leaning truth twisting elite media.
Kerry's election distortions could not have survived any news cycle if not for an obedient media.
CBS is the example of an attempt to deceive an electorate.
Even in the face of proof of fraudulent documents, a Dan Rather takes to the air to declare: in spite of being a fraudulent document, it's nevertheless true. He then tries to take revenge with another fraudulent hit peace to be released on Sunday prior to elections about supposedly missing ammo.
This guy is still on the job.

[JTHomes]

Didn't Churchill say something like "The biggest arguement against democracy is having a 5 minute conversation with the average voter"

[Lord Nelson]

One almost could think the dumbing down was a conspiracy. Look at the crap that is being watched on television for example. We take actors and films far too seriously.

We have emptied our minds so much from reason that we will actually give the most vile nonsense more than a few seconds of thought it deserves.

[Stellar Dendrite]

Bump

[Just another Joe]

You can thank our Teachers and their Union for that!

I would hesitate to agree with that statement.

While partially true it doesn't get to the root cause.

The root cause is parents.
Both my daughters have attended public schools, have had many of the same teachers that other students have had, and neither one of them are the 'dumbed-down' constituency that makes up a good portion of America today.

Why? Because I have taught them to question, to research, to take a stand based on their research and opinions, and to not back down.

I've been called to the high school numerous times to talk with teachers, asst principles, the principle, councilors, etc.
In, almost, each and every case I have left the faculty frustrated, confused, and steaming.
Why? Because I have backed my daughters in almost each and every case.
I don't back them when they're wrong but if they're right I've told the faculty to take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut.

[Verginius Rufus]

This is not a current quote...Edward Zehr died in 2001. I just did a google search on the name...it turned up an excellent column of his from 2000 about Elian Gonzalez.

[Skooz]

"I wouldn't call it fascism exactly, but a political system nominally controlled by an irresponsible, dumbed down electorate who are manipulated by dishonest, cynical, controlled mass media that dispense the propaganda of a corrupt political establishment can hardly be described as democracy either." --Edward Zehr

Well, I have a new quote for my profile page

Today as I was driving to work and listening to the top-of-the-hour radio news, I estimated that about 80% of our nation's populace is made up of blithering idiots. I later revised that down to about 55-60%.

[JTHomes]

One almost could think the dumbing down was a conspiracy. Look at the crap that is being watched on television for example. We take actors and films far too seriously.

Whether conspiracy or not, it is all too real and common. It inspired my wife and I to pull our kids from a lousy public school where they were repeating the same worksheets in late October that they had done in early September. We did a year of home schooling, then a year at Catholic school (better, but got too political and the principal was "removed" by a minority group of parents), now they are back in home school.

[Lord Nelson]

yeah, I fear the brainwashing of the public system. I guess what I want to do is to teach my children to think for themselves. I will tell them that just because an adult says something do NOT take their word for it.