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Educate Our Children and Community in Participating in the Political Process.

Why Is This Idea Important?: This idea is important because many Americans feel powerless against government, which falsifies the concept and essence of the American way of life. Many citizens have lost faith and confidence in the American government due to the public misconception of democracy. A true democracy is a government which is control by and for the people, not a selected few. Many of the issues facing our urban communities exist because citizens feel that there is nothing that they can do. However, collectively parents, students, and residents of these communities can make a difference by simply working with local elected officials and holding them accountable for their actions. By encouraging government participation we can increase public confidence and voter turnout, while promoting a true democracy. Giving citizens the necessary knowledge is crucial to creating a country which serves the greater good of the whole nation, rather than a select few.

At the age of 18, American citizens are given the privilege to vote with little knowledge of local, state or federal elected official positions or their responsibilities. The average person does not know who their elected officials for their districts are or who to talk to for basic quality of life concerns. If basic concepts in political science were taught in depth in public school curriculum, such as how to participate in the political process, what are the jobs of our elected officials and how to actively make a difference in our local communities, than citizens will not feel powerless against government. There is nothing wrong with the system; people just don’t know how to use it. Thus, elected officials and government take advantage of citizen’s ignorance to push backward policies, exploit poor communities and serve the special interest of a few people. Many Americans avoid discussing politics because of its complexity and the emotions it produces; making politics basic knowledge of American citizens will ease the phobia associated with politics and encourage participation, thus making this country a true democracy.

In addition to teaching our children for future generations, the government should implement a program which educates local communities on voting, elected official positions and responsibilities. This will promote democracy because people will actually know who they are voting for and why it is important.

Submitted by terica.watson 2 years ago

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Comments (3)

  1. sallietoo said:

    I agreed with you up to "there is nothing wrong with the system"??? THE POLITICAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM OF THE U.S.A. IS CORRUPTED TO THE BONE!!! WE NEED TO KICK THE CORRUPT BUMS OUT AND ELECT HONORABLY, HONEST, MORAL, SELF-SACRIFICING, PATRIOTIC, PASSIONATE AMERICANS WHO LOVE THEIR COUNTRY, CONSTITUTION, FREE MARKET ECONOMY & FREE REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT. BO, THE DSA MEMBERS IN CONGRESS, THE DSA MEMBERS IN THE ADMINISTRATION, THE DSA MEMBERS WHO ARE JUDGES, & THE DSA MEMBERS IN STATE GOVERNMENT HAVE NONE OF THOSE QUALITIES.

    2 years ago
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  2. apugh96 said:

    You want corrupted government to be responsible for teaching your children government?! You might want to rethink that.

    2 years ago
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  3. sobi said:

    Only if they are limited to teaching the words of the constitution.

    No interpretation, just the words. The children, having committed those words to memory will know what they need to know when the time comes.

    2 years ago
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