there's ignorant and then there's really really really ignorant

I was sitting on a bench at the zoo yesterday with a sleeping Colin when I overheard this man say:
"Bahama? Kabama? What's that guys name again?"

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? How could you possibly not know the name of one of the two people running for president?

While there are always those slightly embarrassing surveys revealing that only 10% of Americans know the three branches of government, 3% can name a Supreme Court Justice, 85% think Chicago is a state and 1% can locate Germany on a map. Which cause people to whine about how terrible the education system is, how ignorant Americans are, blah blah blah. I never really took those surveys seriously.

Maybe I should.  My mouth literally dropped open when I heard this comment coming from an American adult. There are signs up in every patch of grass, political ads on every commercial break and election updates dominate the news. You would have to try to not hear about the election. I understand not being to understand all the topics or not having the time to sit and watch all the coverage or not really caring very much about politics. But not to even know the name of someone who, lets face it, probably will be president?

Heaven forbid this guy actually plans on voting.

Comments

[Karen]

Maybe he's Canadian? Or just came out of a decade long coma? we can hope ...

[Beth - total mom haircut]

Ugh. I'd get upset but it's just so ludicrous. How is it possible? I just don't know.

[fancythis]

that's hilarious!!!!! it means that my low expectations of the American people are in fact TOO HIGH!!!! I don't even LIKE Obama, and I am aware of his presence! Sheesh!!!!
If it makes you feel any better, I was listening to a radio program and they were doing on the street interviews and one guy had NO IDEA WHO THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS!!!!! Absolutely horrible!

[Ann]

um, SCARY! And that many people think Chicago is a state???? My lawd.

[emily]

That IS pretty sad...especially when my not-quite-three-year-old can name the candidates! Well, Barack comes out more like "Brock," but he recognizes them on the news. I've also seen video polls of people on the street, and it's amazing how many people can't name the CURRENT president. Scary.

[Val]

I am laughing out loud because this just happened to me.
Not knowing his name.
Well, you'll see. Hopefully I can get it posted soon.

[Heather]

Hmm. Then maybe he will vote for the one who's name he can pronounce :)

That may not be such a bad thing after all.

Sorry.
Can't help it.
The closer it gets to election, the more trouble I have keeping quiet.

[Sarah]

I can't believe all this will be over in just little more than a week. Wow. God help us all.