[gmku]

True. I know what you're saying. And I feel/felt that way too most of the time. This is the process, so participate, and so on. At the same time, especially in places like Iowa City (college towns) which have a healthy share of intelligensia committed to the study of politics and law and the like, it's easy for the "average" voter to feel intimidated about participating in such open processes. I certainly sensed that when I lived in Iowa City. While the effect may or may not be intentional, I know a large segment of the voting population felt alienated because of the dominance of "smarter than us" activists and the like.

And there's this other effect--the average voter respecting the "intelligent" activist to make the choice for them--sort of an attitude of, well, they must be better informed, so I'll stay out of it and let them make the best decision for me. It just often seemed not very democratic to me.