Young people are not engaged in the process and reality of American democracy. These examples from a recent survey portend a dismal future unless the Internet can be a tool to get young Americans connected. The Dean campaign is an example of what can be done.
"Much of the problem, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures' study, is that many American schools do not stress civic education as part of the curriculum. That has contributed to a general disinterest in the political process.
The legislative organization's survey showed that:
-- Half of the young Americans regularly or sometimes follow news of government, compared with three-fourths of Americans older than 26.
-- Only 66 percent of the younger generation believe it's necessary to vote to be a good citizen, compared with 83 percent of older Americans.
-- Eighty percent of the young people knew that Ruben Studdard won the American Idol contest, but only 40 percent knew that the Republicans controlled Congress."
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