RE: An Informed Citizenry

[Ellen Russak <erussak@aol.com>]

Byron Bagnell writes: "...I wish the advocates of reform would control their altrueistic lets-do-something-even-if-it's-wrong-at-least-we-have-good-inten-tions attitude."

I understand what Byron is saying and I agree that in some cases the good-intentioned reform bills are simply stupid, knee-jerk overreactions. However, unless McCain/Feingold gets changed beyond recognition, I don't see the correlations here.  I also don't see McCain/Feingold as the solution to all our money in politics issues - it will be an on-going process as candidates and parties learn how to weasle around what ever system is put in place.  It just means that we must continue the vigilence and the conversation. It certainly doesn't mean that we should give up reform efforts.

I also agree with whoever said that teaching civics in school is critical.  The majority of our graduating high school seniors would be hard put to name the form of government in their own town, name their representatives, or the vice president.  They think joining a political party requires them to vote for that party's candidate so, if they register at all, they register as "independent" so they can "think for themselves."  They don't understand primaries, few pay attention to issues, and only a very small percentage of them vote. Connecticut now requires 1/2 credit of Civics to graduate and this is a step forward for us. Ah, well - another area to work on.

Ellen Russak