Populist Sense from Carl Sagan

[demwing]

Last edited Fri Dec 5, 2014, 05:54 PM - Edit history (1)

"If we are not able to ask skeptical questions to interrogate those who tell us that something is true, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we are up for grabs for the next charlatan--political or religious--who comes ambling along.

“It’s a thing that Jefferson laid great stress on. It wasn’t enough he said to enshrine some rights in a constitution or a bill of rights, the people had to be educated and they had to practice their skepticism and their education otherwise we don’t run the government, the government runs us."

[sabrina 1]

1. What a concept, to be able to question authority!

Last edited Sat Dec 6, 2014, 02:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Every time I try to do that here on DU, I am met with 'you never have anything good to say about (fill in the blank)' or something of that nature. But no discussion at all of the issues raised. What that tells me is they know their favorite politicians are not doing what they should, but they refuse to discuss it. Too bad because if politicians knew they would not be given a pass for betraying those who elect them, they would be much more careful NOT to do so.

Blind partisanship is dividing and destroying this democracy as Jefferson I believe, warned it would. You can love something without enabling it when it is on the wrong track. In fact, enabling is anything but loving.

[Enthusiast]

3. Great post, sabrina 1!

I believe you mean to say off the track, rather than on the track.

[sabrina 1]

4. Oops, I did mean 'on the wrong track' or 'off the track'. I will edit it. Thanks

for pointing it out!

[Enthusiast]

2. K&R! This post deserves hundreds of recommendations!