Around election time I dug myself into a little hole with a conversation about Obama. My friend had this deep-seated (i learned today that’s how it’s supposed to be spelled) hatred for Obama that seemed to be completely unwarranted and illogical. She simply felt, “he just gives me the creeps.” She wasn’t necessarily for McCain but was definitely against Barack.
After the election had passed we were having this conversation about education and how it affects voting. I had observed on demographic voting maps that most people who voted democratically (in my opinion the better choice this election) were in more populated/developed areas where the access to education was greater. The more rural area and less access to education the votes seemed to be republican. The conversation quickly went south when my friend said something along the lines of, “My parents are very educated people and they’re not voting for Obama…” Well, ya see, that’s not what I meant. It is, but it isn’t. I just wonder how the access to education affects the abilities of people to do research and form educated opinions. My parents, for instance, still get email forwards and believe them. I mean, honestly, I realized forwards were a sham in 9th grade. Now, bear with me because I’m using a small microcosm for an example, if my parents had gone to college, learned how to do proper research, knew more about internet etiquette and had access to varying opinions would their vote have been changed? The chances are it wouldn’t have been changed but I am very curious about it.
Again, I’m not saying, “stupid people voted for McCain and smart people voted for Obama,” it’s simply an observation and something I was reminded of when I came across this cartoon today on Mark Elrod’s blog. Also, way to go Cabot school district.
Phew, That Says It All
2 Comments
I like your thought process on this, but I’m not sure I agree with the conclusion you reached from it. It would be interesting to see the actual education quality of high-population areas compared to low-population areas. Like you, I don’t intend to call anyone stupid, but I’ve noticed that urban areas often have lower test scores, higher dropout rates, etc.
But yes, access to education should make a difference. I just don’t necessarily think access to education = access to good education.
If it makes a difference, I didn’t like or vote for either Obama or McCain. I researched and chose an independent candidate whose views I completely support. And I grew up in Searcy, Arkansas.
that’s what i’m talkin about! haha, i think you’re right. the ol’ quality vs quantity discussion. that definitely makes a difference. thanks for responding to this post though. i like to know what people think. i bet if i looked hard enough i could find some stats on this business.