Reality Check #2

Most of us in the M.O.B. (Minnesota Organization of Blogs) enjoy politics or are at least politically aware. Many of us read political blogs dealing with local, national and international issues on a daily basis. The blogs delve into debates and present editorial opinion on a variety of complex issues. Pundits on TV, in the editorial pages, and in the blogosphere break down the game film of political speechs and calculate how this statement or that vote will impact public perception.

But really, to whom are the wonks speaking? Whether the discussion occurs in the MSM, the blogosphere or both, it is largely a discussion of politicos, by politicos, for politicos. Whatever the medium, it becomes an echo chamber where sound rattles around, bounces back and forth and every so often might leak out enough to register in the conciousness of what is largely a politically tone deaf public, usually only after significant distortion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing that the fault lies with the messanger or even the message, but with the intendee, or more acurately the way our culture conditions the intendee. However, I do believe that the punditry, in general, over-estimates its own relevance and their own ability to influence the general public. Every so often one of these studies are published supporting that premise in a very humbling and frightening fashion...

Americans apparently know more about "The Simpsons" than they do about the First Amendment. Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances.) But more than half can name at least two members of the cartoon family, according to a survey.

The study by the new McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that 22 percent of Americans could name all five Simpson family members, compared with just one in 1,000 people who could name all five First Amendment freedoms.

The survey found more people could name the three "American Idol" judges than identify three First Amendment rights. They were also more likely to remember popular advertising slogans.

It also showed that people misidentified First Amendment rights. About one in five people thought the right to own a pet was protected, and 38 percent said they believed the right against self-incrimination contained in the Fifth Amendment was a First Amendment right, the survey found.

I am reminded of a discussion I had recently where the person I was debating, a psychology student, insisted that the right to birth control was constitutuionally guaranteed.

There would be huge benefits to civics becoming a high school requirement, and I mean basic civics, not social / political activism.

I expect to be writing much more on this topic in the near future.