Why are american citizens so ignorant about what is goin on in our country? or do they just not care?
610965
I think americans aren't so much as ignorant as they are just  out of touch with the world around them. It happens a lot here, everyone has busy lives, families to support and their own problems; it makes it kind of hard for people to stay up to date about what is going on around them. People focus more on trying to survive then on issues in the country.
885150
If your not American than why are you so worried. It's the American public that has to be worried, we will deal with it in our own way.
1075864
You asked why "NOBODY" cares to stop the corruption. The fact is that there were thousands of more people voting on the last American Idol competition than voted in the presidential election. Americans 'speak', every day. By not participating in the governmental process they are 'saying' that it is not their responsibility and they do not care.\nTake a look at some of the questions people ask on YA, and some of the answers people are giving. If this forum is representative of American society, it is crystal clear why there is a failure in the American civic structure. A huge percentile of the questions are unintelligible, immoral, grammatically incorrect, etc.\nThe questions are coming from people who are "educated?" in the American schools to which you refer. \nYes, there is corruption, but it might possibly begin in the homes where there are not 2 parents, the television serves as the parent, children are not taught manners and moral behaviour, and immoral behaviour is rewarded. In more eloquent words than my own,Thomas Paine said, "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one" , and Ronald Reagan said,  "The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away." \nAccurate commentaries, I think.
98418
Well, I think that the US people are mostly to blame. We always get fixated onto our own 'domestic' issues, and hardly ever look outside the box. Our media giants never feed us the true news, and we have to spend hours searching on the internet to find the true story, but I still think we are too naive. There ARE much more important things than Iraq, like the genocides in Africa, but we never really care. Sometimes, it just gets me so mad. Then again, i'm only 13... PS. Thanks for helping me on my WWII question. I think yours was the best answer, but I accidentally clicked on Start a Vote. It's my first time using Yahoo!Answers,
493832
They're the social "elite" that think they know what's best for our country because they may have educational degrees.\n\nIn reality, they haven't a clue what REAL America wants, thinks, needs and feels.  Nor do they have the insight of the real issues affecting our country, although they think they do.
403470
There are those of us who are awake to this horrible vision. The unfortunate thing is there aren't enough of us who are awakened to do anything about it. Unless we organized and assembled we would be brought down. Plus there is a comfort zone, and about half of this country are conservative republicans. 30% of which still like Bush. So of that 70%, you have to figure the portion of people who are willing to risk their lifestyle, their businesses, and even their lives to let the government know that we disagree. Without numbers our voice goes unheard. If we can group the people who disagree with bush and his policy something will get done, however if we don't have the numbers to act, it would be similar to the government response noted recently in the movie V for Vendetta.  If we can have change and move toward peace without overthrowing our government, and leading a revolution, i'm sure a lot more people would step up. But the longer we wait, the closer we are to a civil conflict that will tear us apart.\n\nIn response to airborne... Bush's current approval ratings are right near 30% and decreasing daily. Last I checked 30% is not most of our country. It is the brainwashed ignorant and most often upper class that share's bush's views as they have the most to gain or lose. Open your eyes. Nothing will be accomplished by one country challenging the world. Your statement only goes to prove how brainwashed some people in this country are. Money has eaten their minds.\n\nTo maverick: is it not convenient that of those one in a million, they always seem to be oil barrons, or wealthy senators, or partial owners of medical companies.... Notice you never see an educated civilian take office. 1 country by the people for the people... yeah right! You are both ignorant, and people of other countries notice this. We too often close our eyes to the severity of our actions.\n\nI leave this question with one final thought. The majority of the voting public in the U.S. are Senior Citizens. As you can see on this post, most of the people who are speaking out about bush are children, or considered that in the eyes of the law. As long as ignorant, republican, conservative old bull headed people make up the voting majority, the republican party will lead us all to hell. Not to say that the democrats are any better, because most of the time they are all talk on many issues, but in this case, isolation is the only thing that will lead America away from war. We need to stop trying to police the world, and start worrying about our failing education system, our medical system that is by far unavailable to the people that need it the most, the rising price of gas and creating alternate sources of energy. Until we get our country back on track  how can we justify pushing our way of life onto others?  Let Muslims live how they want to live. If we didn't have our heads up everyone elses a$$ all the time, far fewer people would hate us or attack our way of life. \n\nGrow up children and open your eyes to the ways of the world...
13591
Most Americans have great respect for everyone who is rational, productive, and self-sufficient. This also means anyone who does you harm should be served justice in the interest of protecting free principles.\n\nThe problem is that everyone BUT Americans seem to eat up whatever the media says, or they lack the education to realize that Americans are like any other human being. We live for our happiness and productive achievement, and we highly value our liberty and security.\n\nAny actions we take are a result of that love for freedom and that moral pursuit. We do not tolerate socialism, facism, or totalitarianism, but rather open and mutually beneficial relationships and trade.
188660
Almost all of the people I come into contact with on a day-to-day basis are not Americans, although I am.  Aside from the people in my office, I know only one American.  Everyone else I know are English, Scottish, Turkish, Australian, Russian, Taiwanese, Spanish or Phillipino.\n\nEvery once in a while I meet somebody who doesn't seem to understand the fact that I am not George Bush, but it is rare.  Almost to the individual, they understand that the American people are NOT the American government.\n\nThey see our news and hear our commentaries.  Many of them are as aware of Bush's unpopularity as we are.  Few will even bring up politics with us, but when they do it seems to be with the understanding that we do not like the American government's actions either.\n\nMany people overseas are acutely aware of what it is like to live in a country where the will of the people is ignored.  This is a newer concept for us, but it is a very familiar one around the world.\n\nI wouldn't worry too much about it.  Yesterday I was talking with a Russian woman who likened our situation to life under Putin's government.  They understand tyranny and rigged elections all too well.  Now we are finding out what it's like, and I think you would be suprised how much empathy a HUMBLE American can get.
941476
No they understand it. Why do they care though? They don't care enough to wave an American flag, Learn our language, Raise their litters to be well behaved members of any society, Learn our culture rather than use ignorance as an excuse to change ours. Or apply for naturalization or citizenship because they truely love the country that is feeding them, providing them with special financing on everyhting from buying and owning property to SBA loans. They ruined their own country look at their water for example so they have now invaded the neighboring one like roaches moving to the next apartment. DON'T MISTAKE what I am saying...MY GRANDPARENTS WERE BORDER JUMPERS...but they where happy and greatful they contibuted served this country in times of war, hung an American flag, learned english and expected nothing. And became LEGAL citizensThey raised their litter (5 children total) to have respect and work hard instead of leech. They put themselves through college and raised their children as AMERICANS because thats what they we are. I chose to take Russian in HS and the only sentance I learned in spanish (as a HS student) Me Gusta Beber Cervesa. I like to drink beer.
1093411
With the exception of a few brave souls our Media Sucks. They decide what we can handle and as such we don't see half of what the rest of the world sees. They are lazy and don't as the asker says follow up on stories and bring the complete story to light. We are treated like children by our media and government. If the truth and the full story was put out there for Americans to see maybe most wouldn't be so stupid and naive about the state of America and the world. Now for the next 5 months we will be told how horrible and immoral gay marriage is like that actually affects our lives.
441277
Because Americans are stupid
1064824
Because most of the American people ARE stupid. Geez, just look who they elected as president?!?
844530
Can some people be so blind to the flaws of this country. How can you believe we are so innocent. It's almost despicable to see the ignorance spewing out of some of these peoples mouths, how can they call themselves Americans when they just blindly support whatever leadership is thrown their way and every decision without any question. It almost makes me sick.
674131
Read this site and the various questions on it. Look at how people spend their time and their mental energy....\n\nPeople are too self-absorbed to care about unknown people in some faraway land. The American Dream has become the American Nightmare, with morals at an all-time low. Citizens are raped, murdered and assualted for no reason other than fun! Why should they care about privacy of others, when they dont care about their lives? The American people have become so absorbed in their rights, that they have forgotten about the rights of others.
134406
I don't think all Americans are like that, but certainly many are.  Our public education system leaves a great deal to be desired, especially the last 30 years or so.  And the media's influence on everyday life in America has become so pervasive that it threatens to completely choke off any possibility of real rational thought.\n\nBut there are those who do think for themselves.  There are many Americans who care deeply about this nation and want it to continue to be a place where the freedoms our ancestors fought and died to earn will still live and breathe.  It's a shame that so many ignorant Americans don't understand what they risk when they just go along with what someone says--especially when it involves trading your freedoms for anything.
17027
That is a fabulous question. The only possible answer I could think of is that American people seem to be extremely ignorant and downright stupid. They don't read. They don't even watch the news. And they lack the critical thinking skills it takes to comprehend even the most basic of facts and to derive the truth from all the information being given via those articles and news stories. \n\nThey have also learned to stay ignorant and not to question because they think they are being patriotic when in fact they are being un-American by following such a ridiculous and corrupt government.
483749
I can't speak for other American citizens, but here is what I have observed. I am too old to learn anything new, only confirm what I have known, or believed.\n1) our fereral government only knows how to react. Not to prevent.\n2) In our country, out of disaster, rises greed.\n3) Our federal government, state government and local government officials will never do the will of the common people, only the will of the rich people.\n4) Our mislead soldiers, sailors and marines have been duped again, into believing that they are defending freedom. What they are doing is defending an illusion. The illusion that the united states knows what is best for the world. They are spreading a belief. The department of defense should be defending. That is why it is not called the department of offense\n5) I agree that the perps of 9/11 should be brought to justice. Lets find them and bring them to justice already.\nThat would be justified, but that other stuff (Iraq) is based on one thing (refer to statement 3).