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1 of 1- flowergirl
- Exchanger
Offline - Registered: 2/03/2015
- Posts: 1,840
Retired Justice David Souter on the Perils of Eroded Civic Knowledge
Justice Souter was giving a talk four years ago about the importance of civic knowledge in the maintenance of a democracy. Hearing it being replayed on the Rachel Madow show tonight immediately brings back the "I can fix it" comments made in Trump speeches in some of his rallies. Americans should worry about civic ignorance. Referring to Agustus becoming emperor following the fall of the Roman Empire to solve those problems not being solved, Justice Souter is concerned in our country that someone will say give me total power and I will solve it. He says this is what we should worry about at night. If Trump was close to winning this election I'd be worrying every night. He's going to lose by perhaps a landslide.
- Goose
- Cogito ergo sum
Offline
- Registered: 1/29/2015
- Posts: 13,427
Re: Retired Justice David Souter on the Perils of Eroded Civic Knowledge
Definitely, Americans should worry about civic ignorance. It erodes our freedoms, and leads to very poor decisions.
And Donald Trump immediately comes to mind.
I recall that Donald once said that, if she were President, Hillary Clinton would abolish the second amendment. And millions believed him, even though just a small amount of civic knowledge would reassure them as to how the Constitution can be amended.
Ignorance leads to fear. Ignorance and fear allow one to be manipulated by a demagogue.
Last edited by Goose (10/21/2016 6:44 am)
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.