Just How Stupid Are We Summary

Rick Shenkman seems to know seems to know just how to grab the readers’ attention in his book, Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the American Voter. While most readers may disagree with his central arguments, I agree with him. I do believe that, as a whole society, the American people are very uninformed when it comes to politics, government, or any other relatively “uninteresting” topics. It seems as though the American people could actually care less about what is happening in our government and whether the people in power are taking advantage of our ignorance. I agree that the American people are very uninformed, and in order to make America great again, something has to change. Throughout time, people have looked to leaders for rules and protection. But what happens when the leaders do not inform their people about important issues? The people become ignorant and susceptible to being taken advantage of by their leaders. I agree with Shenkman when he says that the American people accept “meaningless phrases, stereotypes, irrational biases, and simplistic diagnoses and solutions that play on our hopes and fears” (Shenkman, 2008). Many people often vote for the candidate who can “talk” the best. Most candidates do not believe in what they are saying and only speak on certain topics to …show more content…
During the last presidential election, I was not old enough to vote, so I did not have much of a say when it came to political topics and who I thought would make a better president. However, both sides of my family differed widely in their opinions. My close family is very conservative, so usually my family votes Republican. Our candidate for the Republican nomination, however, did not make the cut and my family was forced to choose the “lesser of two evils” when it came to the presidential