Who are your US Senators, and should we hold you accountable if you can't name at least one?

[derby378]

While driving to work today, I heard on the radio that one of the late-night programs polled a bunch of college students to see if any of them could name at least one US Senator. Every one of the students drew a blank, with one guy volunteering the name "Bertie Frank" - apparently in relation to Barney Frank, former member of the US House. (Nice try, dipstick.) But when asked what was the name of the hit song from that animate film Frozen, they all correctly said "Let It Go."

Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. America - this is your future, Neil deGrasse Tyson notwithstanding. And the radio announcers dismissed this travesty with a simple "What are you gonna do?"

Over in the Land of Eternal Crazy better known to the rest of the world as North Korea, they broadcast a television show back in 2005 with the catchy name Let Us Trim Our Hair in Accordance with the Socialist Lifestyle. It was dedicated to promoting standardized, juche-approved short hairstyles for men, and spent a lot of time shaming any North Korean guy who was seen with hair that appeared to exceed the two-inch limit promoted by the talking head on that show. "And this is the malcontent's name, and this is the factory where he works, and this is his boss, and this is where his parents live..."

And here's the punchline: This TV program wasn't a one-shot deal, but ran for a whole five episodes.

Now, I realize that Kim Jong-il was a paranoid and manipulative psycho, and his son's recent decree that all North Korean men must get the exact same haircut that he has indicates that he's heading down the same path, but here's what I'm getting at. This was a nation willing to shame people just for wearing the wrong haircut, and shame them for political reasons.

My two US Senators are John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both of them Republicans. That wasn't so hard to do. Hell, if I had any doubts at all, I could have Googled their names on my smartphone. (And yes, I finally have one.) But what excuse do all of these college students have for not knowing the name of at least one Senator from anywhere in the nation?

Instead of celebrating political ignorance in America, shouldn't we be shaming it? Simply to light a fire under the butts of these people so that maybe they'll start to care about the democratic process, regardless of who they vote for?

Just a thought...

[cali]

1. I love your op. really enjoyed reading it and as soon as I post this

I'll be happy to recommend it.

And my two Senators are what's-his-name and what's-his-name.

[derby378]

3. ROFL!

For you!

[Arkana]

2. Two of the best and brightest--Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

Even Kennedy and Kerry never did the state so proud.

[derby378]

7. Elizabeth has impressed me with all the trouble she's stirred up so far

Hope she keeps it up for a looooong time.

[Blue_Adept]

21. Agreed

Sucks that we gotta go through it all again with Markey this year though.

[cali]

35. I think Kennedy did!

[Wounded Bear]

4. Cantwell and Murray...both Dems...nt

[hfojvt]

5. I'd rather have voters know the name

of the guy running against my current US Senator http://www.democraticunderground.com/1052434

Far as I am concerned, my current Senators names are Moron and Mud.

[derby378]

8. At least that shows you're actively engaged in this whole "We the People" thing

And there ain't nothin' wrong with that at all. Good job.

[upaloopa]

6. Barbara Boxer Dianne Feinstein

[MineralMan]

9. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar.

One's great and the other's just OK. Both vote with the Democratic caucus, though, so they're on our side.

[alsame]

10. Schumer and Gillibrand. Could be

worse, could be better.

[madamesilverspurs]

11. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall

And I got told I was stupid for supporting Obama by someone who couldn't name either senator, her governor, nor her representative, but she could wail for hours about how unfairly Tebow was treated. Gawd.

[derby378]

14. Wow...

When it rains, it freakin' pours. Sounds like that brainiac's a real fine catch.

[davidn3600]

12. Here's the video of it...

[derby378]

15. Many thanks! (n/t)

[CrispyQ]

22. I know they're young but damn, that was some stunning ignorance & shallowness.

And the one kid who could name a senator named Rand Paul.

My best friend & I worked on Gary Hart's campaign when we were seniors in HS.

[Le Taz Hot]

13. Dina Finklestine

and Babbett Wrestler, er, wait . . .

[YarnAddict]

16. The reason this matters

is that these completely ignorant people have the right and responsibility to vote.

I guess the good news is that when they vote they tend to vote Democratic.

[Maedhros]

17. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Merkley is my favorite of the two.

[Bluenorthwest]

18. My Senators are Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and I'm sorry about yours.

Just so you know, the shows that do 'man on the street' routines gladly tell people that stupid answers get on the air, they are making comedy, not polling. The objective when they go out with the camera is to find laughable responses. If they did not find them, they would arrange for them. It is comedy. It is not political science.
It is not reality they are showing you. It is an intentional and admitted joke. This is why they don't share 'results' but only some selected clips. On comedy shows.
And those routines are shaming the subjects for being ignorant. They put them on TV and say 'laugh at the vapidity'. That's not a celebration it's a mockery.

[jwirr]

19. Amy and Al.

[City Lights]

20. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk.

I find it sadly embarrassing when people don't know the names of their representatives in government.

[truebrit71]

23. ...but are more than willing to spout the ignorant teabag/rw talking points..

...those people drive me nuts...

[PrestonLocke]

26. They're always able to say that Obama is "destroying the constitution"

or something equally stupid.

Yet they're never able to answer how.

Knowing their reps too? HA!

[PrestonLocke]

24. Tammy Baldwin! and Ron Johnson

There's almost nothing better than getting into a discussion with one of those tea party clowns and asking him/her this exact question.

Better yet, who's your rep and what district do you live in?

What about your state senators/reps/districts?

[derby378]

38. State senator and rep are both Republicans

State senator is John Carona - at least for the time being. He lost the GOP primary to a teahadist.

State rep is fellow teahadist Jason Villalba. We worked hard to get former Democratic rep Carol Kent in there instead - she's a family friend, too.

[Xyzse]

25. Mine are easy

Ben Cardin
Barbara Mikulski

I got transferred from Donna Edwards' district to Delaney.
I so miss Edwards...

[GoCubsGo]

27. Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott.

My congressman is Joe "You lie!" Wilson. Just shoot me, please.

But, yeah, I know from where you are coming. It's quite pathetic, to say the least.

[Deep13]

28. Sherrod Brown (D), and dipship what's his name (R)

Portman, that's it.

[Ed Suspicious]

29. Tammy Baldwin and, America's dumbest senator, Rojo (sunspots) Johnson.

[Spirochete]

30. I don't have to name mine

They were already named - presumably at birth.

They are Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.

[EC]

31. Tammy Baldwin is the only

one I acknowledge because I throw-up a little everytime I say the other ones name.

[Arugula Latte]

32. Ashton Kutcher and Katy Perry, I'm pretty sure ...

What?

[pansypoo53219]

33. i admit i keep forgetting senator stupid's name. i prefer to think feingold.

[Cleita]

34. One of mine is a people's Democrat, Barbara Boxer and the

other a corporate Democrat, Dianne Feinstein. You are right though. Most people I know don't know and especially don't know who their Congressional reps and state senator and assembly rep are.

[Blue_Tires]

36. mine?

Warner - D
Kaine - D

Didn't even have to look them up

(and yes, I voted for both even though sadly neither are natural-born Virginians)

[davidn3600]

37. It's not surprising though...

There was a poll done and nearly 70% Americans couldn't name one single Supreme Court Justice.

And only 1% (ONE PERCENT) can name all 9.

[tabbycat31]

39. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker

ETA My Congressman is Chris Smith (R-piece of shit). I miss being in Frank Pallone's district.

[etherealtruth]

40. Stabenow and Levin

Sander Levin is my rep

My state senator is Steve Bieda, state house: Mickey Switalski

every one is a Democrat

[mcar]

41. Nelson and

Rubio

[lunatica]

42. Diane Feinstein (Ugh!) and Barbara Boxer

But my very favorite is Congresswoman Barbara Lee! I'm very proud of her.

[Laxman]

43. Forget Your U.S. Senator...

you should know every elected official who represents you. That includes your congressman, your state legislators, and your local officials. I teach an Introduction to Political Science class-mostly college freshmen. The lack of awareness is incredible. You cannot pass my class without knowing the full list.

[hobbit709]

44. I got Cornhole and Carnival Cruz

[octoberlib]

45. Kay Hagan and the completely ineffectual

Richard Burr , who's only claim to fame is that he drives a 1974 Volkswagen Thing around DC. Oh yeah, and he's related to Aaron Burr. He's a Republican, so I guess I should be thankful he's ineffectual. John Edwards previously held his seat so we should be able to get a Dem in there next time he's up for re-election .