Pratkanis and Aronson described the “Essential Dilemma of Modern Democracy as Cognitive Misers”…huh? Okay, so these mental hoarders are known to not fully participate in the political discussions, only to be persuaded by limited reasoning. Well, isn’t that a kick in the pants? Listening to the local news today, I heard the discussion of how the impeachment inquiry is now being pushed by a vote into a full blown “process.” Now there are so many angles that are being exploited by both the Democrats and Republican; that will dull the senses of the masses to the point where no one will want to hear the word “impeachment.” We are waiting to be persuaded by these Congressmen and Congresswomen, who are spitting through their teeth about what is happening. Not to mention all the misinformation bleeding from the media on all cylinders. I, personally, try to understand the “what” and the “why” and keep finding myself not wanting to be a Cognitive Miser at all. I want to be persuaded that the information is correct and not “alternative facts…” If our forefathers who wrote the Constitution could have predicted today, they would probably be disappointed in the mass disinterest in our inalienable rights like free speech. I am afraid that the Cognitive Misers are going to be the voters who pick the most unqualified candidate because they do not have to think for themselves and search responsibly for the truth. This is a dilemma of epic proportions, and it is just compounded by the idea that the “people” are stupid and don’t know what they want. Well, Lebanon’s administration decided to try to tax a free app that the citizens use, and it sparked an uprising with several people dead. Lesson? Instant media gets instant reaction…it is prevalent in Hong Kong, as well. Democracy is worth fighting for, and we give up our rights quite easily, so we can feel like we had a say in our so-called democracy.