Politics and Selfwalker is a combo that does not happen too often.  Politics just seem so broad and vague and most of the time I would not even know where to begin to talk about the topic.  But this does not mean that I ignore politics, rather I just listen critically to the argument.  Here is an example.  Just last week, I watched this video (click to watch) from the website True Majority Action.  This video would be great to show in many classrooms because of the Mathematics involved and opportunity to critique a persuasive argument.  First the Math.The bar graph with cookies is a neat and catchy way to display the data.  Also, the redistribution of cookies to other categories is also correct mathematically.  I am sure there is other math but that is what stands out.  Now time for the arguments being made.  The amount of logical fallacies being used in this video overwhelm me.  From the start the script says things like “…taking Ameria back” and “…it (federal budget) is why college scholarships are dried up, schools are broke, and 12 million kids growing in poverty”.  These are wonderful cliche statements that could easily motivate a citizen to think, “Yeah look at how screwed up the government is!”  I say,

“Does this really make sense? Are 12 million kids really in poverty because of the federal budget? Where is the evidence in any these claims?  Are are they just TRUE because every one just knows that they are TRUE.  I guess the claims are possible, but I’m skeptical.

Furthermore, the video suggests an idea of taking a chunk of money from the military budget and redistributing to other categories.  True the military budget is huge but what all is included in this category?  How much is salary paid to troops or how much funds research?  Also, does simply giving more money to an category make it better?  If so, then should we give more money to the military budget as a way to bring more PEACE into the world?  Overall, the idea is again cliche; basically take from the rich and give to the poor.  All of this sounds great but is it practical?  I don’t know and I’m fine with not knowing.  As the presidential debates continue, I will continue to listen those speaking and, just as important, listen to those reacting.  If you too are going to listen, how about trying use those awesome math skills and skeptical ear?