Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Education By Sound Bite

Most young people today (and some of us old ones) have a digital device at the end of our arm almost 24/7.  My, my, did we ever see the results of that on Tuesday in New Hampshire.

I confess, I get most of my education these days off these devices.  I cannot tell you how long it's been since I've read a nonfiction book cover to cover.  There was a time that I always had a book in my hand. Today it's easier, and quicker, to read online excerpts from a book, and reviews.  That's enough I say.  Today I have favorite columnists, journalists, TV pundits, and authors I read to form my opinions.  Much faster.  Seldom do I go to the computer and research a subject in depth.

This election cycle has jerked my chain.  I hear you America.  Got it.  We're busy people, quick, quick, let's get on with it.  Decisions on the fly like no tomorrow.

For the last 20 years America has been fed constant sound bites of anger and hate through every form of communication.  It should be no surprise we've grown a generation of angry hate filled voters.

The only thing that saves me from some of this is I've been around the block a few times and there was a time when I did think in depth.  That serves me well these days.  I'll give you two examples.

Ted Cruz has continually promised to repeal "Obamacare" his first day in office.  Do you believe that?  Take a breath, calm down and let's discuss this. If it were possible for Mr. Cruz to repeal "Obamacare" in a day I can assure you America's voters would turn on Congress like nothing we've ever witnessed before and his own party would be calling for his impeachment.  Pure nonsense.  Education by sound bite.

Bernie Sanders is promising pie in the sky to angry young Democrats.  Folks let me tell you living on a kibbutz won't be to your liking.  Neither are you going to like the sky high taxes it's going to take to pay for that pie in the sky.  Pure nonsense.  Education by sound bite.

We want everything quick these days, quick decisions and quick solutions.   Have you noticed there's also a lot of quick anger and quick hate?

America, education by sound bite is not serving you well.

6 comments:

  1. Yep, we're going down that infamous creek with our ear buds in and our rose colored glasses.

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  2. Wonder if the kids will feel a different "Bern" when they see the big deductions from their first paychecks to pay for all the freebies.

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    1. The young are dreamers and we need dreamers but it is equally important to have realists. I do hope the Democrats will listen to the ideas of these dreamers. They might have some good ideas. If not the Democratic Party will soon be in the mess Republicans are in today. Change is not always bad.

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  3. Since I'm a child of the 60s, I'm waiting to attend a sit-in via electronic gadget.

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