I'd typed this earlier, then my internet went to hell so I gave up and worked on reviving the freaking modem. But now all's well, so here it is:
The USA is in a downspiral. I mentioned it in the "Preserve Network Neutrality" thread, so here's the deal. The US has been facing a lot of issues lately. The NSA was caught sticking their nose where they shouldn't have (Though I'd wager it wasn't the first time they'd done such a thing). Bush's popularity is incredibly low, and we're still at war while the majority of the country opposes it.
The problem stems from technology, to a certain degree. Media has the ability to get news out to nearly everybody in the country rapidly, so everybody hears about why something is or isn't controversial. The problem is that there isn't a counter to that--a way to get the people all the relevant background information. Or at least, there isn't a way to get the people relevant background information that is used regularly enough to keep the masses well enough informed to make intelligent decisions.
A large part of the blame falls on the masses: The internet is an amazing tool. Google could give people all the information they need in seconds, but people don't use it to the level they should. You've all probably heard of the poll lately. 63% of Americans 18-24 can't find Iraq on a map. Half can't find New York. 90% can't find Afghanistan. 75% can't find Iran.
Getting the idea?
Most people in America think themselves informed enough to make a decision. As the same people what they think we should do about Iran, and they'll probably have an opinion of some sort. Ask what they think about Iraq and they'll most certainly tell you what they think ought be done. But they don't have all the information they need to make intelligent, informed decisions. They're only half-way there.
In reality, that's good news. People actually know SOMETHING about what's going on. Most people know that Iraq is controversial because no actual WMD's were discovered. A handful know that Iran's trouble because of nuclear non-compliance. The problem is that not enough people know enough to make decisions, but they still try to make them.
Which leads me to make the statement that the US is in for some serious trouble if things don't shape up.
More people need to get more active NOW, or things are going to go from bad to worse in short order. People want Bush out. Ask them why. Domestic spying, unwanted war, perhaps hurricane Katrina still.
Okay, down to business. The NSA's domestic spying was only controversial because the NSA doesn't have the jurisdiction to tap wires INSIDE the US. If the Pres asks, they're allowed to tap wires from other countries. 'Course, that could get the US into trouble if we're caught doing it, but that's what the NSA does. There's other agencies that have been tapping various wires in the US for quite a while now. Even some talk of intercepting cell phone calls and filtering them digitally for key words, though I don't think that's been validated. Either way, the point is that people are all in a fuss. They know the NSA tapped wires. Listened to conversations. But they DON'T know that it isn't NEARLY the first time such a thing has happened. This sort of thing needs to change.
People need to know things. Iran's an issue because they're flogging the NPT in the face of the UN. Katrina was a responsibility of LOCAL government immediately after the crisis. National government made some bloopers, but the majority of the blame falls on the local government. Especially considering that several million dollars was funded to improve the levees, but 'mysteriously' disappeared, into the pockets of corrupt officials. We know that Iraq DID have WMD's at some point. ONE, they surrendered a small number to us before we invaded. TWO, they USED THEM on their own civilians just a few years before. We just didn't know how many or where, a dramatic failure on the part of military intelligence.
So, the reason I'm starting this discussion is this: What do you think can be done to stop the situation from worsening. Or do you not feel the problem exists? I'm open to whatever opinions you've got. Post 'em, discuss 'em.
