The Specter of Stupidity
These past few weeks have been an ordeal, a constant churn of anger and despair.
The election results left me, like many others, reeling. I, like countless people, have retreated from a relentless cycle of news consumption. Aside from occasionally skimming headlines, I refuse to engage. It’s exhausting. But the silence itself feels suffocating.
Then came the avalanche of post-election analyses. Endless rehashing: What did the Dems get wrong? Was it Biden, Horrible, or the message?
Bullshit.
The problem isn’t the message or the messenger. It’s the electorate. Yeah, I said it. We’re blindsided by the fact that millions voted for a convicted felon. That’s not surprising.
No, the far greater tragedy lies with those who stayed home. Voter turnout plummeted. This isn’t just a problem for Democrats, it’s a national crisis. Inaction will have repercussions far beyond the next election.
I’m angry, yes, that some voted for a convicted felon over a qualified woman. But my rage is reserved for those who didn’t even bother to choose. You’ve condemned us all to chaos, perhaps permanently.
America has always been flawed. Even our Founding principles are drenched in hypocrisy. But I’ve held onto Baldwin’s vision, his America yet to be. We’ve never lived up to our ideals. But at least that ideal existed, something we could strive for. Now, under the shadow of the Orange One, it seems to have morphed into something dark and unrecognizable.
The real question isn’t how to refine the message or find a more charismatic spokesperson.
No, the question is, how do we deal with stupidity on a gargantuan scale?
How do we connect with millions who couldn’t even be bothered to cast a vote? Our system asks so little of us, even razing the draft after Vietnam. I’m 71. When I studied civics, duty meant understanding our government, staying informed. Now, it’s all rights and no responsibilities.
That apathy, that refusal to engage, it’s what landed us here.
I’m done.
Fuck them.
Fuck every union member who sat this one out. Fuck every young person.
Fuck everyone who didn’t vote.
Look, I’ve given my last dime to Democrats, to anyone who would fight, who tried. Not your fault, Texans, that lobotomized husk, your governor topped off youravel state I’ve long deemed “the Shithole,” a cesspool of shit intellectually and otherwise. Texan, through and through, I’ve finally given up. The Christians who’ve forgotten to “care for the least of these,” fuck you, too.
I was there, fighting AIDS, risking everything.
I marched.
I was beaten, jailed. I expected better. I thought we’d learned.
But now, I’m done.
We’ve not come very far at all.
This isn’t about adjusting the message.
This is about head-in-the-sand, about complacency.
The American Experiment was always a gamble.
It demanded minimal effort; at the very least, vote.
But many considered themselves too busy, too woke to drag themselves to the polls – even facing a clown to a decent woman. They betrayed every childhood, every fallen soldier, buried in hallowed ground. Think again. “Stupid doesn
How does Dr Emily Carter suggest individuals can make their voices heard beyond simply voting?
## The Specter of Stupidity: A Conversation
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, a political scientist with a focus on voter behavior. Dr. Carter, this piece, “The Specter of Stupidity”, is generating a lot of buzz. The author sounds incredibly frustrated, even angry, about the recent election results. What are your initial thoughts?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s certainly a powerful and emotionally charged piece. The author raises a very important point, one that political analysts and policymakers alike have been grappling with: the issue of voter turnout. As the piece points out, the US sits relatively low in global rankings when it comes to voter participation. [[1](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/democracy-governance/increasing-voter-participation)]
**Host:** So, the author channels their anger towards those who didn’t vote. Is that a fair assessment?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s understandable why the author feels that way. Low voter turnout can be seen as a direct threat to democratic ideals. When only a segment of the population participates in elections, the resulting government may not accurately reflect the will of the people. However, it’s important to remember that there are complex reasons behind why people choose not to vote.
**Host:** Such as?
**Dr. Carter:** Factors like disenfranchisement, voter suppression efforts, and a general feeling of apathy or disillusionment all play a role. It’s crucial to address these root causes if we truly want to see increased voter participation.
**Host:** The author compares not voting to condemning the nation “to chaos.” Do you think that’s an exaggeration?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s certainly a strong statement. Regardless of how one feels about the outcome of an election, disengagement from the political process can have lasting consequences.
**Host:** What advice would you give to people who are feeling disillusioned and disconnected from the political system?
**Dr. Carter:** First, remember that your voice matters. Even if you feel like your vote doesn’t count, participating in the democratic process is vital. Second, get informed. Educate yourself on the issues and the candidates. And find ways to make your voice heard beyond simply voting. Engage in community activism, volunteer for a campaign, or contact your elected officials.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, thank you for sharing your insights. Clearly, the conversation about voter turnout and civic engagement is far from over.
