The Importance of Being Politically Aware

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Known to be off limits at family gatherings and a touchy subject in any other setting, politics always seems to bring out the worst in people. As a result, most Americans try to avoid involvement in politics. They find talking about the latest movie releases easier than discussing the huge national debt. But is it any wonder? Between the mainstream news, Internet sites, blogs, and other alternative media, trying to make sense of everything can be a daunting task. Sometimes pleading ignorance is simpler. However, in today’s culture being politically aware is becoming increasingly necessary. Just because someone sees a presidential candidate give a speech or two doesn’t mean it’s wise to vote for him or her. Also, with many issues such as health care and tax increases affecting the everyday lives of Americans, knowing where one stands is important. By utilizing the sources on the Internet and other media, politics can become a little less confusing and help people understand the world around them. Beginning to delve into politics can be intimidating. How can one be sure what he or she is reading is the truth? Anyone can write a blog, and the mainstream news sources don’t always tell the whole story due to time constraints or bias. One of the best places to start is to have a solid foundation in America’s original beliefs. By reading documents such as the Constitution of the United Stated, Declaration on Independence, Common Sense, Bill of Rights, and Federalist Papers one can learn about our country’s history through the eyes of the founding fathers. The advantage of reading the original documents instead of someone’s opinion about them is that there is no bias to try to sort out. Then one can form his or her own opinions about t... ... middle of paper ... ...work will pay off. By learning about American history, current issues, politicians, and reading several news sources, one can be confident when talking to others about important topics. If one is willing to take some time to research and do some digging, he or she can become informed and the tangled web of the political world will begin to unravel. Works Cited Jefferson, Thomas. "Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists (June 1998) - Library of Congress Information Bulletin." Library of Congress Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2011. . Morgenstern, Madeleine. "GOP Debate: Did Audience Boo Gay Soldier…or His Question? | Video | TheBlaze.com ." Breaking news and opinion on The Blaze . N.p., 23 Sept. 2011. Web. 2 Oct. 2011. .

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