In an oft-paraphrased 1789 letter to Richard Price Thomas Jefferson wrote that a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy. The next time we as a society collectively wonder about the political landscape and direction of our country we need look no further than ourselves and the things we deem important.

Just what are the things about which we ‘must’ be informed? Here are this year’s top Google searches:

  1. Lamar Odom
  2. Jurassic World
  3. American Sniper
  4. Caitlyn Jenner
  5. Ronda Rousey
  6. Paris
  7. Agar.io
  8. Chris Kyle
  9. Fallout 4
  10. Straight Outta Compton

If you’ve dropped your head into your hands and sighed there’s some life left in you. Kudos. If you’re thinking, “What’s up with Caitlyn Jenner lately?” and are opening a new tab to do a Google search please consider staying home on November 8, 2016. Leave the important decisions to those best equipped to make them. Remember, we have the right – not the requirement – to vote.