Fifty percent of people won't vote, and fifty percent don't read newspapers. I hope it's the same fifty percent

Fifty percent of people won't vote, and fifty percent don't read newspapers. I hope it's the same fifty percent

Gore Vidal, the renowned American writer and political commentator, was known for his sharp wit and biting criticism of the American political system. His quote, "Fifty percent of people won't vote, and fifty percent don't read newspapers. I hope it's the same fifty percent," encapsulates his cynicism towards the apathy and ignorance of the American public when it comes to politics.

Vidal believed that a large portion of the population was disengaged from the political process, either choosing not to vote or not bothering to stay informed through newspapers or other sources of news. He saw this lack of engagement as a major problem, as it allowed for politicians to manipulate and control the narrative without facing any real accountability from the public.

Vidal's hope that the same fifty percent who don't vote are also the ones who don't read newspapers speaks to his belief that those who are uninformed are also the ones who are not actively participating in the democratic process. He saw a correlation between ignorance and political apathy, and believed that those who were not informed were more easily swayed by propaganda and misinformation.