Where can I educate myself politically?

[zeke]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Good luck. Follow the money. Learn what a "plutocrat" is. Follow the money. Find the POV that seems to be the least destructive to you and the ones you love. Oh and good luck and stay away from internet message boards. They will rot your mind. Look what has happened to us.

 

[koshergrl]

Read. Go to a variety of sources for information, and when you do, check to see who they are and take that into consideration when forming your opinions. Follow links to outside sources, you can find interesting information that way...but always double check your information. When you find something, continue to search to see if anyone else knows anything about the topic.

Biased sources are not always bad sources; sometimes a biased source is the only source that will give out particular information; but that is where you need to keep an open mind and dig a little deeper.

 

[naturegirl]

The best way--really the only way--to truly educate yourself about politics is to read both sides of each issue. The only website that genuinely gives you both sides is Real Clear Politics (RCP). On every single issue, RCP gives you one or two articles from the left and one or two articles from the right.

RealClearPolitics

Beyond that, you just need to read articles from some of the main conservative and liberal websites. There are also a few "moderate/centrist/independent" websites that are worth checking out. I would recommend the following:

Conservative:

Heritage Foundation
Townhall.com
Hoover Institution
Human Events

Liberal:

Center for American Progress
Huffington Post
Drudge Retort (not to be confused with the right-leaning Drudge Report)

Moderate:

Brookings Institution
The Independent Institute

First let me applaud you for your decision to make informed choices!! ^^^ This is pretty good info but can fill your head with all kinds of stuff, lots of difference of opinion.

As far as posters on this board, if I were to choose one that is truly a moderate, I would definitely go with Marc1958. Pay attention to his posts, he very professionally calls the BS on both sides. Classy poster!!

Sorry Marc, I don't want you to have a stalker but you are a voice of reason. You've called me out more than once and made me think and research some more.

Good luck, you're going to make some mistakes, only with experience will you be able to sort the facts from the spin (most of the time). Don't let the mistakes get you down, you're going to make informed decisions and that's what really matters.

That's very kind of you naturegirl, much appreciated - but if you don't start calling me "Mac" instead of "Marc" I'm gonna take you off my Christmas list!



.

I'm sorry MAC!!

 

[Toro]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

You won't find it here.

What you'll find here are partisans spinning and calling each other names. It can be fun but it is what it is.

 

[francoHFW]

In the opinion of the rest of the modern world, the Dems are center-right, and Pubs have fallen off the flat earth. 92% of French, 89% of Germans, etc etc, are for Obame, 2-3% for Romney. TYVM, Pub propaganda Machine. Watch anything but that bought off BULLSHYTTE. LOL

 

[JWBooth]

In the opinion of the rest of the modern world, the Dems are center-right, and Pubs have fallen off the flat earth. 92% of French, 89% of Germans, etc etc, are for Obame, 2-3% for Romney. TYVM, Pub propaganda Machine. Watch anything but that bought off BULLSHYTTE. LOL

Start by ignoring this clown.
​

 

[tresbigdog]

politifact.com, factcheck.org

 

[JWBooth]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Ludwig von Mises Institute : The Austrian School Is Advancing Liberty
Read everything there. Many books there are available for free download.
Economics, politics, philosophy...you will not be disappointed.

 

[Wry Catcher]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Start by reading biographies. The good ones are well researched and give both a political and cultural sense of what life was like during our nations founding and subsequent decades. There are great ones on the life of most of our Presidents and Chief Justices as well as other notable Americans and are an easy find at most libraries.

Take history classes at your local JC and keep in mind that specific courses are better, IMO, than survey courses. My favorites were, The West in American History; The Economic History and the Diplomatic History of the U.S.

Some interesting perspectives are available in University Libraries where doctoral dissertations and masters' theses can be read.

Have fun, learning is a wonderful hobby. Note too how many who post on this forum are willfully ignorant and hold opinions which will be exposed as ridiculous as you study our history. Finally, keep up on current events, watch cable news with a critical eye and read from a number of sources many of which can be viewed for free at your local library.

 

[blastoff]

Just read everything you can posted by LilOlLady, rdean, jilian, and others who sound like them. Oh, and especially Truthmatters if she ever gets back from "vacation" again. You'll have no trouble figuring out the right direction to go after that.

 

[GuyPinestra]

The only advice that I haven't seen given is this...

Start with the FOUNDATION. Read everything you can get your hands on about the beginnings of this country and what it's PURPOSE is. That alone can take you several years but is indispensable in understanding how far afield this nation has strayed from it's roots.

Good luck to you!!

 

[longknife]

mikegriffith1 has given you some good advice!

I checked out RealClearPolitics - Opinion, News, Analysis, Videos and Polls and cannot find who is backing it. While it seems to report both sides, I cannot find out who is paying for it so it's most difficult to read the true bias.

Others have suggested you take college courses on the subject. IMHO - DON'T!!!
99% of college professors will only teach their liberal/socialist/progressive views and will seriously omit vast segments of our national history.

I think one of the biggest lacks of our education system is NOT teaching the complete history of this nation. If you want to understand our political systems, how it works, and what is is, you need to start from the beginning and see where we came from and why. Who were the people who settled here and why did they come? You will then learn the mindset they brought to our political system.

Mike's links are also well-worth checking out - although I avoid the HuffPuffPost like the plague.

And finally, congratulations for your effort and willingness to learn what all the BS and other stuff being shoved down your throat. We have few truly willing to learn and you are a bright star in this nation's corona.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Read and research both sides of all issues.

And, remember that there's no such thing as an unbiased opinion and that the internet is 99% untrue.

 

[peach174]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

The best is to watch C-Span and it will help you to learn how the gov. works.
Watch past C-Span episodes on several of the hearings.
Go to Thomas.gov and read the bills.
Go to the Library and read up on U.S. Political History.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

longknife

Others have suggested you take college courses on the subject. IMHO - DON'T!!!
99% of college professors will only teach their liberal/socialist/progressive views and will seriously omit vast segments of our national history.

Yeah, like leaving Thomas Jefferson out of history books.

Oh wait - that was the conservatives.

 

[GuyPinestra]

longknife

Others have suggested you take college courses on the subject. IMHO - DON'T!!!
99% of college professors will only teach their liberal/socialist/progressive views and will seriously omit vast segments of our national history.

Yeah, like leaving Thomas Jefferson out of history books.

Oh wait - that was the conservatives.

???

Old Tom was all over my history books...

But then again I got my education before the Dr. Spock generation took over the schools...

 

[ScreamingEagle]

read Mark Levin's book Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto...

Review

"The necessary book of the Obama era." -- Jeffrey Lord, The American Spectator

"Levin has delivered a stalwart conservative manifesto written by a conservative who doesn't want to re-brand and repackage conservatism into liberalism. He draws on founding principles, not polls, to lay out the agenda for the Right -- and to illuminate the fatal flaws of statism." -- Michelle Malkin

"This is quite simply the most important book of our times." -- Scott Miller, The Conservative Post

"This has the answer for everything you've asked yourself about yourself, and why you believe what you believe." -- Rush Limbaugh

"Liberty and Tyranny is Mark Levin: a man who loves his family and country and believes ideas have consequences -- and therefore will fight passionately for what he believes and knows to be true." -- Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review

"While it may present itself as a "conservative manifesto" (and it is that, too) it is also a compelling primer on the most basic principles of the American political order." -- Gary L. McDowell, American Thinker

"Mark Levin's Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto couldn't be more relevant or important. It is a masterful restatement of conservative principles that is succinct...and yet comprehensive. It is thoughtful and deep but highly readable. It is timely yet timeless." -- David Limbaugh, TownHall.com

"This is a superbly useful book. It is the perfect companion for the college freshman to fortify the student against what he or she is about to hear. It is an ideal detoxicant for the graduating senior. Most vitally, it should be read by those who do not consider themselves conservatives, because it carefully lays out the central historic, philosophic and constitutional relationship between conservative principles and our individual freedom." -- Tony Blankley, The Washington Times

"If you want to rediscover true conservatism, read Mark Levin's Liberty and Tyranny. If you want to help preserve liberty, buy copies for your kids." -- Terry Jeffrey, CNS News

"It is a rarity that an important book arrives at its perfect moment. Such is the case with Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto...Against this tidal wave, Mark Levin offers not so much a defense as a plan of attack, a clarion call to roll back the seas of Change." -- Andrew C McCarthy, The New Criterion

Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto: Mark R. Levin: 9781416562856: Amazon.com: Books

 

[Avorysuds]

Search for "Guilty of Just Thinking- the Series" at the Barnes and Noble.com website. Parts 1 and 7 are memoirs, 2-6 classic political argument and 8-10 pure politics. Haha...

Don't trust ANYTHING from the Pub propaganda machine: Rush, Beck, Fox, RW webstites, Blogs, notice the 15 pages of RW institutes, orgs, websites that cover the same Pubcrappe stories every time within minutes. Check everything at Snopes and other factcheckers.

I'll bet anything the OP was talking about people just like the guy I quoted, lolz...

Anyways, someone said NPR, careful, they are just as bias as anyone. NPR gives fractions of stories when they don't agree with one side. They also make it more than a habit to interview and make progressives look good, it's hard to even get a conservative voice on that program. When they do interview the progressive it's usually a "polite" conservative bash fest.

I get information by looking up the history of people and events, sadly I even get my information form places like wiki. I never get my information from TV/Radio or the newspaper seeing as it's all bias.

 

[Oddball]

The Law, by Frederic Bastiat

 

[Avorysuds]

longknife

Others have suggested you take college courses on the subject. IMHO - DON'T!!!
99% of college professors will only teach their liberal/socialist/progressive views and will seriously omit vast segments of our national history.

Yeah, like leaving Thomas Jefferson out of history books.

Oh wait - that was the conservatives.

SO what you're saying is... don't trust the school system? Or trust liberal teachers because you can trust conservatives teachers for the same reason?