I read a fair number of political blogs and commentaries, and the responses to those blogs and commentaries. The majority of the respondents (across the spectrum of opinion) are so functionally illiterate they don't realize they're functionally illiterate. This appears to correlate with several other factors, to wit:
- Claiming that Joseph McCarthy was right all along.
- Insisting that the US government is trying to control our minds via "chem trails."
- Suggestions that UFOs are spacecraft from extra-solar planets.
- Belief that Elvis is still alive.
- Fears of a "One World Government" conspiracy.
- Belief that corporations are evil.
- Asserting that immigrants are taking "our jobs."
- Asserting that the world would be a better place if we'd all just stop competing and love each other.
- Animals have human rights.
- Belief that "alright" is a word, even if otherwise evidently literate.
Someone once told me that everyone is entitled to an opinion. I suggested that statement was incorrect. I believe everyone has the responsibility to render an opinion that is well-informed and well-thought-out. Anything else is a waste of perfectly good oxygen. I'm sure everyone is also entitled to be a complete moron, yet I don't believe it's a good operational policy.
I'd like to advance the proposal that any individuals expressing any opinion similar to those in the bullet list be removed from the polls. Anyone who whines about "those idiots in Congress" should realize that said idiots were voted in by other idiots. Expecting that the Idiot Vote will somehow elect individuals of character and intelligence is a bit like expecting to find filet mignon as the filling in canned beef ravioli.
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