Should people be interested in politics?

I been told that (especially the younger generation) needs to have more of a mindset on politics so they can decide for the future of their country. How do you feel about this?

Yes. They also need to be more informed about economics.
Particularly worrying is the fact that most of my friends dont care a shit who wins the US election, or what's happening in Georgia.
This is probably because everyone's understandably cynical about politics here, but still, I dont think it justifies wanton ignorance.

I think once you starting working and paying your own bills etc you should pay attention to politics. You don't need to be a crazy person who goes to these conventions and cries every second, but you should be aware of what's going on in your country/state/city etc because what they discuss does affect you. You can never be certain with what you hear in debates, but they should show you a general idea of the opposing opinions. Basically my answer would be yes. Though I also think people should be very firm with their beliefs and not be so quick to change them. I personally don't think my vote counts (I pretty much know it doesn't), but when I mention that feeling it tends to bring out a lot of anger from the "America is the greatest country EVAR!" people.

"Yes. They also need to be more informed about economics.
Particularly worrying is the fact that most of my friends dont care a shit who wins the US election, or what's happening in Georgia.
This is probably because everyone's understandably cynical about politics here, but still, I dont think it justifies wanton ignorance."

"I think once you starting working and paying your own bills etc you should pay attention to politics. You don't need to be a crazy person who goes to these conventions and cries every second, but you should be aware of what's going on in your country/state/city etc because what they discuss does affect you. You can never be certain with what you hear in debates, but they should show you a general idea of the opposing opinions. Basically my answer would be yes. Though I also think people should be very firm with their beliefs and not be so quick to change them. I personally don't think my vote counts (I pretty much know it doesn't), but when I mention that feeling it tends to bring out a lot of anger from the "America is the greatest country EVAR!" people."

People who give a damn about a lapel pin can off themselves.

No, you should not be interested in politics. "Should" implies something that you do reluctantly, and God knows we don't need any more people voting who don't understand any of the issues or understand them through soundbites.

"No, you should not be interested in politics. "Should" implies something that you do reluctantly, and God knows we don't need any more people voting who don't understand any of the issues or understand them through soundbites."

I personally think people should be aware of what's going on and the laws and regulations that the government wants to pass. The only way to oppose a bad decision from the government is to know what's happening. Though I personally think that it doesn't matter who holds position in office, congress, etc. I think that the government will do what they want, no matter who's in office. That's why I think voting is useless. However, an outcry from the public about a decision they dislike that the government is making is better than sitting idly by and just taking their crap. Even if the outcry fails, at least they tried and at least they got some attention from other citizens.

"No, you should not be interested in politics. "Should" implies something that you do reluctantly, and God knows we don't need any more people voting who don't understand any of the issues or understand them through soundbites."

The news filters are still far too up their own butt with pageantry and editorialism. If I had a kid I wouldnt want them watching that BS, I'd filter it out myself and tell them about it myself. People need to take a little initiative on their own in teaching their kids what matters. I'd say this is something worth teaching firsthand.

yes. but it is full of too much spin and bullshit. No trust in it.

yes. its our country, the people should be running it. but its just too bad news media is always biased.

I think people should be interested in things that affect their day to day living.

People should look to their history to make educated decisions for their future.

People should stop believing outright everyting they read and watch, and try and make decisions for themselves.

People should be politically aware, but interest has very little to do with it. I hate politics, but that doesn't keep me from voting, or, even worse, voting blindly.

Yes I think everyone should take an interest in politics. People need to get outside their little bubble and their own lives and do something more proactive that has bigger ripples in a larger area than just around their immediate self. And politics obviously skews the direction the country will go in. Whether your most important issue is religion in politics or abortion or evolution vs creationism or crime or poverty or global warming or the economy, whatever it is, it is effected by politics on some level. And people who don't even pay attention to the most basic of things going on in their country, have no right to complain when the country and it's laws don't go in their direction IMO.

I also think that everyone who is interested in politics, just like with religion, should do their part to educate others. Education in general is a GOOD thing, and many people won't start getting involved or following something until they have a friend who talks about it and they start noticing what's going on and take an interest in it. I'm the one who follows politics most around my house, but because of it almost everyone talks about the goings-on on a normal basis because I'm always watching the news and we discuss things. I think it's very important.

It's just like with video games. You want to get other people into playing games don't you? Well if you don't do it, then it might never happen. Do what you can to spread the word, it can only be a good thing, even if the person votes for an opposing party or viewpoint. That's America.

Personally I'm a Republican myself and I can't WAIT for the Republican National Convention. It's like E3 in a way! ;)

As an australian I (as well as the rest of the population) have no idea what the difference between the republicans and democrats is.

If someone could explain that to me it would be great

We also definately cannot understand the enthusiasm for these events. Its like some weird high school nrl game with brass bands and shit. WTF?

People should be interested in politics. Sadly, politicians in the UK don't seem to care about making us interested. They're far too busy trying to tell us what to do and when to do it.

"As an australian I (as well as the rest of the population) have no idea what the difference between the republicans and democrats is.

If someone could explain that to me it would be great

We also definately cannot understand the enthusiasm for these events. Its like some weird high school nrl game with brass bands and shit. WTF?"

There are many ways they're different in theory, but in practice not so many. People tend to associate the words more with the fringe contingencies than the political nuances. That is, dems are hippies and republicans are evangelicals. Not true of course, those just happen to be the loudest and most outlandish.
But on paper, dems support federal programs and large scale initiatives, republicans don't support such initiatives and think that money is better spent within each community. I tend to lean right because its naive to think such a large nation can agree on everything and I can understand why some people would be mad paying higher taxes to support some federal initiative they receive no benifit from. On the other hand, universal healthcare could be a good thing. Dem policies, not unlike communism, read great on paper but just don't work on such a large scale.

"Rowr said:

"As an australian I (as well as the rest of the population) have no idea what the difference between the republicans and democrats is.

If someone could explain that to me it would be great

We also definately cannot understand the enthusiasm for these events. Its like some weird high school nrl game with brass bands and shit. WTF?"

I'm an Indian, so forgive me for my pretentiousness, but-
Democrats are, in general, in favour of more centralised business, free health care and education, stuff like that. They generally tend to have higher taxes.
Republicans tend to promote small business, less government intervention, stuff like that. Basically the mixed economy leans capitalist or socialist depending on who's in power.

On social issues, I'm not very familiar at all."

Arnold is a national treasure. *angry face*

Nowadays the Democrat and Republican parties are only a name. For every election that passes, the two parties seem to become more similar. What we really need to focus on are the candidates, not which candidate is in which party.

Here's another factoid for the people of America-

This election is IMPORTANT. Please, make an effort to watch some of the candidates' speeches, and do some research. There's so many times when I hear things like "I'm not voting for Obama because he's black!" or "I'm not voting for McCain because he's old!"

The people who use these kind of statements truly don't know what's going on and it's scary to think that these people are allowed to vote. This is possibly the most important election in America's history (IMO) and who we choose will change the fate of our country forever. Make an educated choice PLEASE PEOPLE!!!

I agree with Jolly. People need to make decisions based on the candidates themselves. Not parties, or skin color, or age. 

You would be ignorant in thinking that it isnt important, so yes. =]

Depends,  to a certain extent you should know but its not that vital, who knows? maybe ur vote dosent count
*COUGH*george bush winning*COUGH*

But after your legal voting age, i think you should

"Nowadays the Democrat and Republican parties are only a name. For every election that passes, the two parties seem to become more similar. What we really need to focus on are the candidates, not which candidate is in which party.

Here's another factoid for the people of America-

This election is IMPORTANT. Please, make an effort to watch some of the candidates' speeches, and do some research. There's so many times when I hear things like "I'm not voting for Obama because he's black!" or "I'm not voting for McCain because he's old!"

The people who use these kind of statements truly don't know what's going on and it's scary to think that these people are allowed to vote. This is possibly the most important election in America's history (IMO) and who we choose will change the fate of our country forever. Make an educated choice PLEASE PEOPLE!!!


"

Yeah, its important to know how your country (and to a lesser extent, other countries) are being run.

"yes. its our country, the people should be running it. but its just too bad news media is always biased."

I'm convinced politics in America is screwed up. There is no perfect candidate, and the entire election is based on idolization of great speakers or misconceptions and lies.

"I'm convinced politics in America is screwed up. There is no perfect candidate, and the entire election is based on idolization of great speakers or misconceptions and lies."