I’m guessing that everyone here at EA is above average

erik_kosberg · #1 01-10-2006, 02:44 AM

http://online.wsj.com/public/article...gton_wire.html

Quote:

Despite the past year's deluge of Supreme Court news, 57% of Americans can't name a single sitting justice, according to a FindLaw.com survey of 1,000 adults. It shows that of the 43% who knew at least one, 27% named O'Connor; Thomas, 21%; Roberts, 16%; Scalia, 13%; Ginsburg, 12%; Kennedy, 7%; Souter, 5% and Justices Breyer and Stevens, 3% each.

**amykhar** · #2 01-10-2006, 07:32 AM

Our members even know if the justices are dead or alive

**Joubert**[$] · #3 01-10-2006, 09:23 AM

I'm usually in awe of how much the members of this board know on such a wide range of topics. I may not always agree with their positions, but we got some folks round these here parts who pay attention when the man talks on the wireless...

poseidon · #4 01-10-2006, 10:25 AM

I think that's why a number of people here are shocked as to why there isn't more "outrage" over several issues. For the most part, we Americans are pretty stupid, especially when it comes to Current Events. What many of us fail to realize is that while we pay attention to the news, much of the nation (I'll go as far to say "most") doesn't.

All you need as proof is "Jaywalking" and "Man on the Street." Neither are set-ups.

**hadassahchana**[$] · #5 01-10-2006, 10:46 AM

Dang! I missed Breyer when making my list.

Seriously, though, I don't know if we're all above average, or it's just that some of you are and post enough stuff to bring the rest of us along.

Cindy

**mtomm**[$] · #6 01-10-2006, 10:53 AM

People pay attention to what is important to them.

realtraveller · #7 01-10-2006, 12:26 PM

That's why the price of gasoline gets the public more worked up than the latest scandal on Capitol Hill. It's simple, it affects them directly and it's on every corner.

poseidon · #8 01-10-2006, 04:00 PM

Which is another reason why the GOP might not be in as much trouble as some might hope.

People have a negative view of Congress out of habit more than anything else. They don't really care for Democrats more than Republicans or vice-versa FOR THE MOST PART.

They do, typically, like their own MoC and Senator, despite not liking Congress itself.

When you factor that into an uneducated electorate, people will pay more attention to the commercials than to what's really going on.

Since mid-year elections are local and not national (IOW, you can't vote to sweep out Republicans, you can only vote to sweep out your own MoC and Senator), if people like their own representation, they're going to stick with them.