Ok, so I don't even know where to begin...

I would reccomend reading Howard Zinn “A People’s History of the United States” and anything by Noam Chomsky.

You should also watch the videos and interviews by them. In my eyes they know more about these two subjects than anyone else.

They speak the truth and that is what you ultimately seek.

Oh yes I love Noam. He’s one of my inspirations. :) thanks!

Welcome to the collective, krose1223. Politics is a huge topic to bite off in one go. You might start by reading up on specific issues that are of interest to you: economics, energy policy, foreign relations, etc.

I also recommend (don’t laugh, I am serious) The Daily Show with John Stewart on Comedy Central. He pokes equal-opportunity fun at both sides. He also has a deep understanding of the issues himself. He has an excellent guest roster. In the last two weeks, he has had Bill Clinton and Tony Blair as guests.

Please do not forget Howard Zinn. He is the man.

Yes sir I’ll get right on it… after I study for my history test. :)

Be aware that sundayBastard might be a little conspiracy minded. In addition to sources listed above, you might want to check out the many political discussions currently taking place on Fluther.

I admit I am a little conspiracy minded…......

but what subjects contain more conspiracies than history and politics?

It’s ok, sunday…there is room for everyone here : )

It takes all kinds. Right augustlan?

Right you are!

Join a club like this.

Be open-minded.

Realize that there is always more than one side to every story. Read all of them, separate the wheat from the chaff, and your zeitgeist will begin to form.

Skepticism will save you. Cynicism will embitter you. Idealism will illuminate your rationale.

Do not permit yourself to be fooled; recognize when you have been, and adapt.

If you ware interested in history books, Tendall and Shy’s America is a fantastic history. It was my high school history text book and I’m vaguely ashamed to say this but it was such a good, easy reading book that I, um, bought it.

Just start from a topic that interests you on Wikipedia and go from there. Don’t worry about reading the entire series of topics or understanding every article completely, just skim and click as it interests you. I’ve found it’s a really organic way to learn more about a broad topic without getting bored.

Wikipedia is somewhat of a “shallow-end” kind of way to learn though but as you get the gist of various topics and history/politics at large you’ll be better equipped to recognise more specialised and interesting sources to read.

This might be controversial but don’t broach the topic with an ‘expert’- they tend to go on about whatever interests them the most and/or just wastes our precious remaining breathable air trying to look intelligent.