Will you do the research first?  

In India most of the unemployed and underemployed people show great interest in politics and elections. There is no need to do any research on politicians who are standing for elections, because the TV and newspapermen publish their detailed horoscope with deeds and misdeeds, scandals in which these so called politicians are involved. 1 out of hundred get a clean chit. But all said and done, these scroundrels get elected by giving money to lakhs of people (mostly poor and uneducated people) and get their votes. When they come to power, they indulge in corruption to collect back their money spent during the elections. It will be ten fold.

I agree with you 100%. I listen to people at work, and I'll listen to opinions here and on other forums. I also watch both CNN and FOX news for the differing points of view, and I read Newsweek. I will be sure that I understand where the candidates stand on the major issues before voting. I always vote in the primaries, also, which a lot of people don't bother to do. You're example about someone confusing Obama and Ellison is a good one. I read another post today asking who we would vote for : Hillary vs. Obama. This was an American user who posted the discussion, not even understanding how the primaries and elections worked and that only one of the 2 would be the candidate if they were nominated by the party... It was too much for me to get into at that time due to my agitated state this afternoon... I also hate hearing people say that they will vote for Hillary because they liked her husband or for Obama because we need a black President. Please, Americans, vote for the best candidate, not for a gender or race.

I think everyone should be informed with all the facts before they vote and make sure they make a true decision.
However I think that we can never truely know the facts as every written thing is swayed to try to get you to form an opinion on one thing or another.

i really think it is the job of the government to teach the people of poltics, and gain their interest so they can make informed decissions, rather than rely on personality or other insignificances.

i'm not sure how many schools teach it, but for the last few years my little brother has had citizenship lessons at school. these are cumpulsory lessons about politics, being a briton, and their rights etc. we didn't have that when i was at school a few years ago and i think alot of us would have benefitted from it. i have quite an interest in politics, i often argue with my friends who in the last election voted for the labour party because 'tony blair seems like a nice man'...

I think that everyone should research the candidates before they choose who to vote for or at least research the candidate that they are planning on voting for. Although I know that some people don't vote for that very reason. A lot of people are just too lazy to vote.

You are very right. I think most voters are simply bitten by propaganda and the liberal media. The same old rhetoric in popular society is more of a contributor to political brainwashing than the so called corporate conspiracies, or misused partiotism some have charged.

I think that is also evident here on MyLot as well.

I definately agree. I certainly plan to do my research, I think it is very important to make an informed decision on anything in life, especially something this large scale.

I agree. There is no point in voting if someone is not willing to do the research necessary to ensure they are voting for the best person for that office.

In national elections it is even more important to look at the history of a candidate to get a feel of what they might do in the future.