As November 2nd approaches, the amount of polarizing misinformation and antagonistic ads and speeches is disconcerting. More disconcerting is the degree in which the American general public continues to "drink the Kool-aid" while often being the agents of choice for perpetuating manipulative and destructive myths. Democracy requires an honest discourse of our current realities as well as the preferred vision for the future. This honest discourse is nearly impossible without it being demanded by the citizenry. I want to identify a list of the ten most common political misconceptions. These misconceptions are fed by misinformation and manipulation, but have signficant influence on how we frame the issues and candidates.
1. A single politician on the Federal or State level can not unilaterally form and implement public policy changes.
-Its ridiculous to hold any single person responsible for all of public policy.
2. Systemic change requires time. Its takes longer to turn the titanic than a row boat.
-Its absurd to expect any leader to make significant change in 1-2 yrs.
3. Regulated capitalism is not socialism.
-Deregulated capitalism concentrates the wealth in the hands of a few.
-Anti-trust legislation was created with this in mind.
-Pure socialism does not allow the private holding of companies.
4. Government is the only agent powerful enough to restrain exploitation.
-Government's role is to protect citizens from harm from powerful economic entities that will make incredible profits at the expense of economic stability of most Americans.
5. The real wages of most Americans have decreased over the past 30 years.
-Although corporations have grown immensely, the average worker's income has decreased when adjusted for inflation.
-It is not the "fault" on a single political regime.
6. When income disparity increases, civil unrest and anger appears.
-The top 10% accounts for 40% of all wealth, the most since just prior to the great depression.
-Anger results from the disparity in opportunity to generate wealth and the lavishness and oppulence of some.
7. Economic distress often results in expressions of all types of -isms.
-As people feel more insecure, they become increasingly suspicious of others.
-For example, immigration would not be an issue if there were not significant economic issues.
8. The needs of the most vulnerable impact the wellbeing of a society
-A society pays for the most impoverished in many ways. Poverty leads to crime, disillusionment, and poor health. All of these things result in all of a society experiencing more crime, more frustration, and increased risk for health problems.
9. Injustices of the past and present, will be injustices of the future if they are not confronted.
-United States has a nearly permanent underclass.
-This underclass is based upon many inequities related to unequal opportunities, unfair practices, and under education.
-Simply insisting that everyone has the same opportunity for success is wrong.
10. Government is a common way to provide goods and services to those things that we feel are too expensive or too important to be left to our own devices.
-Some things should not be for-profit like our military, retirement, local schools, etc. These are too important for the wellbeing of our nation.
You may agree or disagree with my list. Perhaps you have a few concepts that you would add. If so, post them and let the honest discourse begin.
