The Uninformed Electorate: Spending a day with C-Span

 

 

After sitting and watching C-Span for a few minutes, I decided to take notes on what's playing for one week on their channels. What I found was a wide swath of interesting topics that will inform voters and citizens about the state of our current Political System as well as giving viewers a rudimentary understanding of American History.

 

     All this tells me that on any given day on C-Span, one can learn more about the American Constitution; the history of the United States and our future by simply sitting and watching and taking notes the way we did when we were in class.

We can learn about the alleviation of hunger globally. This is not “pie in the sky” but something that the United Nations says is achievable in our lifetime. There is a plan, where the major industrial nations pledge a certain amount of money to make this an entirely achievable goal.

In connection with global hunger is a book about life in one of Kenya’s Refugee Camps, discussing Life in Dadaab Refugee Camp.

 

  What Pope Francis said and did in Mexico: This actually played into the current political race with Pope Francis and Donald Trump trading remarks on the building of the wall at the US/Mexican border.

    On the History of Terrorism: Instead of listening to the spin from the candidates, we can learn about the history of terrorism and how it has evolved. Terrorism has been with us since the Middle Ages, and insurrection and guerilla warfare, and whatever else you want to call it, has been used as a means of protest, to overthrow governments and to incite violence and produce radical revolts.

     The Jim Crow South: Much has been made of the latest incarnations in the Jim Crow South, where several good books on the subject of how the black population-African Americans-have been kept down and had their rights suppressed since the end of the Civil War.

       There have been several good books, one by Tavis Smiley writing about a Covenant with Black America; and also books on the March on Washington and the Forgotten history of the struggle for Civil Rights that we have had in this country. Along this same vein, there’s a discussion about Citizenship during the Reconstruction period, and how that time, almost 150 years ago, has helped to shape the race relations and the America we live in today.

   In order to better understand our own world, and the Foreign Relations policies, so complex, that we are mired in, there’s a discussion of US Foreign Relations before 1916, a pivotal year where Woodrow Wilson was re-elected. This was the middle of the First World War, and a time when the Middle East was being re-apportioned and the dream of the United Nations-Wilson’s League of Nations-was taking shape.

Concerning China, the issue of One Child per family has been examined recently. The book is “One Child: Story of China’s most radical experiment."

 Turning to the Vietnam era, there’s a hearing featuring Sec of State Dean Rusk from the Johnson Administration.  And also an examination of how chemical agents were used in the Korean & Vietnam wars.

Returning to the era of the Civil War, there’s a discussion of Ulysses S Grant and the obstacles he faced, plus what he was able to achieve during his Presidency. He also presided over a contentious time in our nation’s history, with Reconstruction and an economy in shambles.

 

Lincoln’s assassination, and almost 100 years later, John F Kennedy’s assassination, are both examined. Further exploration of Ulysses Grant, in comparison with the well-born General from the South, Robert E Lee, also helps to explain their personalities and the outcomes they helped to shape during the Civil War battles.

There’s not only the discussion of citizenship during the Reconstruction period, as mentioned, but also the experiences of citizens during the horrific battles surrounding the Fall of Richmond. Separately, a look at General William T Sherman’s March to the Sea is examined.

 As for elections, there’s a discussion of the flaws in the US Polling System and data. And another one on the 4 elections that helped to shape the 20^th Century. And still another on the elections of 1932, the year that not only President Roosevelt but Adolph Hitler came to power. Continuing with President Roosevelt, his legislative efforts are examined in one show.

 Regarding the political parties, there’s a look at the political parties in the US. And an examination of the president’s war powers, and how they have used the war powers act through history.

 A look at the laws of the US as they relate to our founding fathers, and extending to the Magna Carta, is also featured. In addition, the history of the Death Penalty as it applies in the US is examined.

Under US History, there’s a look at James Madison’s notes from the 1787 Constitutional Convention. And also a look at the history of Washington D.C as a city. There is a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party Debate, which took place in the Old South Meeting House. Plus a discussion of George Washington and his travels to the original colonies and then states.

In Banking, the creation of the Central Bank of the US-the Federal Reserve- is discussed. The allegation is put forth that we have 2 banking systems in the US.  There is a follow up in banking with an examination of the 2008 Financial Crisis- The Lost Decades and the long recovery. God’s Bankers-by Gerald Posner, is discussed along with Ben Bernanke’s book “Courage to Act.”

 Under Science, the author of The Death of Cancer is featured. And the Field Professor’s Guide to Fracking is also discussed.

 Finally, the future is examined with The Well-tuned Brain, which asserts that human brains are NOT wired for modern society/Technology. The Brain Electric looks at the development and use of technology. The future of Drone Technology is also reviewed. And finally the book “We have the Technology” is discussed.

All in all, a wide variety of differing and thoughtful discussions, with authors who have extensively and painstakingly researched their subjects, most after many years of work in their respective fields. This is the type of television, more like lectures at a private university encompassing a vast array of knowledge on various subjects, that is literally available at our fingertips.

 Instead, we listen to a few talking heads and handlers with talking points along with candidates who have a particular agenda to push. On both sides of the aisle, a little less conversation a little more action (meaning listening and taking notes!), is highly recommended throughout this campaign season.