On May 14, 8:44=EF=BF=BDpm, Bob LeChevalier <loj...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Pubkeybreaker <pubkeybrea...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >On May 14, 1:40=EF=BF=BDpm, Bob LeChevalier <loj...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> >> Pubkeybreaker <pubkeybrea...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> >Not really. =EF=BF=BD They still have representation. =EF=BF=BDThey can
s=
till call
> >their congressman and ask for help.
>
> He wouldn't be THEIR Congressman. =EF=BF=BDWith no vote, he is not
answera=
ble
> to them and hence has no obligation to represent them.
This is nonsense. A congressman represents everyone in his
district. This includes people who voted for him, people who
did not/do not vote, and even people who voted for his opponent!
They are all represented.
> People have rights because they are people. =EF=BF=BDThey get to have a
sa=
y in
> government because they are adult citizens. =EF=BF=BD
Why is it that everyone talks about rights, but noone talks
about *responsibility*?? People also have a *responsibility* to
be sufficiently informed so that can exercize those rights in an
intelligent manner. From what I see, most people are failing
in this responsibility.
Democracy works well when its citizenry is well educated. It works
poorly when people get to make decisions about issues that they
do not understand. I see more and more of the latter happening
in the U.S.
I do not agree with the idea that rights are granted solely on the
basis of being an adult citizen. I believe that before such rights
are granted people need to demonstrate that they can exercize
them in at least a semi-intelligent manner and not simply cater
to the latest sound-bite of some emotion-provoking politician.
This means that people need to educate themselves and learn
critical thinking skills.
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