Recently read an interesting article about low-information voters, described as persons who have little or no interest in the news or current events. This is not a partisan issue, Democrats are as likely as Republicans to be low-information. Nor are intelligence or education attainment predictors of a low-information voter. For many, work demands intensive thought and cognition, so when off work, folks may prefer to not necessarily think.
So how does a low-information voter decide how or for whom to vote? Apparently from numerous sources: word-of-mouth, a headline, a bullet point, or that Bubbling Brew of BS, social media.
It doesn’t take much. Regardless of accuracy or factual basis, a statement is made. Blame it on being uninformed, misinformed, or just plain ignorant. This elicits a response, typically in agreement, and then responding with additional falsities and inane comments, that continues to escalate into a classic Bubbling Brew. Then throw in individuals who choose to intentionally misrepresent, misinform or fabricate. This is where the BS get added.
Here’s a classic recent example:
1) ” here’s a question for you, if it's a state-run project how come people sat in front of Shaw's to get signatures on a petition to raise the meal tax in town to help pay for this project?”
2) “the town wanted upgrades above what the state was providing do they are responsible for the associated cost. Things like the more expensive lights, etc”
3) “Oh. Never saw any breakdown of our responsibilities and what they were. Must be a humdinger cause the tax is still in effect.
Thanks”
4) “glad you mentioned this. The meals tax was for Econ dev. Whatever that is. The senior/community center. The library. And open space/cemeteries. Three years in our town hall changed it. They wanted only Econ dev — still undefined. Said the other three were all set. People had concerns at that town meeting. Were told things that didn’t make sense and voted in. The library and the community center are always doing fundraisers because they need money. The 300000 is now mainly events management. Where are all the new businesses it was going to bring in to lower our taxes?”
5) “I had no idea about any of that. Thanks. The little signature gatherers lied to me about what it was going to be used for in front of Shaws. I listened to the little speech and saw them there collecting signatures for what seemed like weeks. Of course having a brain I would never sign up for new taxes. People are so easily deceived, you know what P.T. Barnum said.”
This exchange started with a comment about the Ashland Rte 126 project, which took a few turns, and morphed into an exchange of misinformation, total lack of information, and intentional fabrication, resulting in a Bubbling Brew of BS.
If someone were truly interested in how and when Ashland adopted a local option meals tax, there are numerous sources that might be referenced including the Town’s most recent (2023) Economic Development Annual Report (https://ma-ashland.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/13187/2023-Final-Report?bidId=), as well as the process by which a town adopts the meals tax, which is not by a petition, but by a Town Meeting vote. Not sure what petition the brainiac above signed, but if he truly would not sign up for new taxes, he missed his chance at Town Meeting.
Comments