I am amused when someone feels they know more than others about politics. I just like to know where these folks are getting their information if is not from the media. All information comes from the media in one form or another. I don't think anyone in this world has enough connections where they can have access to every political back room.
Fred
Oh, I agree. Educating people in the merits of party platform and how it relates to real issues make for great discussions, especially with people who "are in the know" when in fact they've been brainwashed in to thinking a certain way by whatever venue happened to get in their head. In regards to people who are able to make decisions based not on a news network, it it amazing what text books and research of political theory can teach a person. When there are people who respond "I vote the X party because they are for the little guy", or "I vote for Y party because they are better for business", etc, etc, a simple question to them such as "Why do you think that?", provides a lot of information that has been taught and perpetuated by the media that is incorrect to begin with.
When the media reports something the first thing an educated person will do is deduct what is opinion and speculation, and apply what they individually know as being true to the situation regardless of personal feelings. It is unfortunate that the news media has gone from reporting a news story to instead telling a story about an event. Also, having knowledge of other cultures and even differences in regional culture (Alexandria, Egypt vs Benghazi, Libya), will help in deducting falsehoods and speculation vs reality. So it isnt so much as having connections to every political backroom, but knowing rather how things work and do not work, and know what is Hollywood and what isn't.
Keep in mind that I personally do not try and change someone's belief, I simply try and make them dig a bit for information other than the mainstream media, go out and learn why things are the way they are. Once they understand they views usually follow right along with them.
