U.S. voters lack critical thinking

Rick Reynolds, Las Vegas

Friday, Dec. 10, 2010 | 2:04 a.m.

In the computer world, we run anti-virus software on our PCs to avoid system corruption and ensure that output data are correct, usable and relevant for our decision-making processes. That software must be up to date at all times.

In the political world, there is a tendency to embrace any statement, e-mail or newscast that reinforces our own political beliefs or defames our political adversaries. We do not question anything as long as we wish it were so. In essence — regarding politics — the anti-virus protection for our own minds is rarely running or even installed. The output has proved to be devastating.

As I watched the very same people who are responsible for our current predicament obstruct every attempt to better our condition, and then make major gains in political power in the recent elections, it became painfully apparent that few voters felt the need to “update their software.” It takes a well-funded advertising campaign to keep selling the same flawed “program” that was running in 1929, 1989 (the savings and loan crisis) and that most recently crashed again in 2008, but people keep buying it.

Here we go again.