Originally Posted by
Atypical
All this bullshit conversation goes nowhere except for one and only one factor - knowledge. Complete objective unbiased knowledge coupled with standards on which to put that knowledge.
Here's how it works.
My standards: Don't lie - no propaganda; no unnecessary wars and no defense spending unless required; no social spending unless needed and controlled; help (support) for those who need it; separation of church and state; no corporate control of the country; willingness to change positions based on good information; use science and not bullshit to answer complex issues; no favoritism to the wealthy; taxes whereby the wealthy pay more; no slavishness to any philosophy unless there is solid evidence; no control of media by ANY entity; a legal system that treats EVERYONE fairly and law enforcement that does as well; control of power and authority because it always corrupts; science allowed to say what its findings are without censorship; and demands by citizens that all of the above are enforced along with any that I have omitted.
Now any citizen's responsibility is to read/hear as much as possible of the sources THAT SUPPORT THOSE PREMISES (which I can't see anyone disagreeing with) so as to know what is and what isn't being done by those in a position to affect those issues. And that is a lifetime effort!
That's what I do. Let's see...who attempts to support my concerns as shown above. In totality - NO SINGLE PERSON OR POLITICAL PARTY. Next step - who comes closest. Easy.
That's how I decide. No using ideology, religion, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor. As a result, I change my fervor for an issue or person OFTEN based on what I learn and what that person does/does not do to support my concerns. Remember, learning is a DAILY effort. It doesn't stop when your biases or hatred are satisfied. That's what the stupid do and how they got that way. Stop learning and you stop growing. Continue to adapt when significant information becomes available and you will become very knowledgeable AND fair because you know how hard it is to get that way!!!!!
One other very important requirement - SKEPTICISM. This is the single most important skill to have. The ability to sort the crap, manipulation, lies, distortions, and other attempts by those to GET YOU TO AGREE WITH WHAT THEY SAY. Everyone does it; your boss, politicians, cops, clergy, celebrities and others. No one should let themselves be controlled. But that rarely happens because once our buttons are pushed we smile and get in line. Humans are weak and easily controlled. If you know human psychology and are suspicious of EVERYONE you might be able to protect yourself from SOME of the lies. I subject everything from everyone to the BS test. Just like when you buy a car. You do reasearch. Well, politics and everything else should also be researched but not from sources that are obvious manipulators. Do you always believe what a salesman says?
Hard, yes. Ideology, no. Who does that? Very few. Based on your comments re the media you surely don't!