As I watch the political caucuses, read blogs and listen to people "discuss" politics, it appears to me that Americans in general seem to have a very low level of political knowledge. With the wealth of information available via the Internet, government Web sites, candidate Web sites, books and televised debates, voters have every opportunity to become educated citizens and make informed choices for political office. Why then do we continually hear people say I'm voting for "this candidate" because he or she is sincere or looks like a president or wants change or is seasoned or has experience or will learn, ad infinitum.
Our country now stands at a crossroads in history. For nearly a century we have been the strongest and most powerful and influential country on Earth but clearly that strength is waning. The next person to become president of the United States must have the political knowledge, experience and preparedness to effect the change that our country so desperately needs after the past eight devastating years.
Voters, we have an obligation to ourselves and to the future of our country to access the information that is so readily available to us and to use it to make our political choices. Candidate credentials and policy position must take precedence over a candidate's personality, demeanor, physical attractiveness, religion, gender or ethnicity. When we vote, let's do so in a responsible and informed way. Lack of information makes people vulnerable to manipulation by anyone who can push the right button. Before you vote, educate yourself on each candidate's position on education, the environment, energy independence, economic growth, health care, veterans' issues and national security. Only when our political decisions are based on political knowledge can we positively affect the future for ourselves and our children and ensure a strong and prosperous America.
Jessica Trager
Bellevue
