Do they think we are Dumb or Just Ill-Informed
By gewcew23
@gewcew23 (8007)
United States
June 4, 2008 2:22pm CST
What assumptions do congressmen make about the American people? Do they assume that we're dumb or ill-informed about the energy problems we are experiencing? Every time there has been a huge spike in gasoline prices, Congress hauls oil company executives before their committees to accuse them of greed, obscene profits and price-fixing. One federal investigation after another of supposed oil company misconduct turns up nothing to substantiate congressional allegations. Unfortunately, the congressional hearings make front page news and lead the evening television news, but the results of federal investigations that follow are only casually mentioned deep in the body of newspapers and get little or no time on the evening television news. If news media people had an ounce of integrity, they would highlight the federal investigation findings that undermine congressional charges of oil company misconduct and they would question the congressmen who made those charges.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Actually, they think the American people are stupid... and they are right because we keep electing them into office.
The government is making more off of the taxes then the oil companies are making in profits.
Oil profits are about 8 cents to the gallon while the federal taxes are somewhere around 18 cents to the gallon... so it is the federal government that is cleaning up at our expense.
Meanwhile, the Congress is not doing the job it was elected to do will it is wasting time with these pointless hearings.
3 people like this
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Just think, it is the democrats who are leading these hearings, and who are counting on the stupidity of the voters.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
5 Jun 08
In my experience most people are both dumb AND ill-informed. For over five years I've worked in libraries that also serve as voting locations and you wouldn't believe how ignorant most voters are. I had one guy asking if Clinton and Obama were republicans. The moron had no idea what they stood for and when I told him neither were republicans he ask me if republicans were the ones we were trying to keep out of the white house. He didn't even realize that when voting in the democratic primaries there are only democrats for him to vote for. He couldn't even remember which party he was told he was supposed to hate. Granted, this was probably the biggest moron I've seen, this level of ignorance is still not uncommon in today's voters.
1 person likes this
@twallace (2675)
• United States
4 Jun 08
A little of both when it comes to things going on in this country there are alot of things done under the table to the point the people are the ones feeling the affect of what is being done. Now it has reached gas, food, clothing and all of that is going up when it should not be.
1 person likes this
@DCMerkle (1281)
• United States
5 Jun 08
You know what the funny thing is? We sure aren't stupid when the politicians are looking for that vote. The minute they are in office we are stupid people. Town meetings have become a regular game of chance that is fixed. A politician will tell the town meeting moderator what questions they will answer before the meeting begins. The don't want to be broadsided by questions on issues that they have no idea of or that we weren't supposed to know about in the first place.
DCMerkle
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
4 Jun 08
The news media people do not have an ounce of integrity, or any at all for the most part. Just about every network, print and online news outlet has their own agenda and it's not to keep the public informed.
But, to answer your question, politicians assume that the American public is uninformed and that we will swallow whatever brand of bull they're selling at the moment. From time to time we do become informed, and often outraged, and that's when changes are made. Congress and the federal government cannot do anything about the oil companies. They put on a show for our benefit, so we'll think they care and are doing something, but the oil companies have their hands deep in political pockets so no one is going to rock that boat if they plan to remain in office.
