Keeping up with the political show, the parade of prospective candidates and the constant intrigues, theaters, cunning and scandal has become a social skill set that is just as involving as keeping up with the English Premier League. One has to watch a lot of TV. Not that it will save you from voting in an idiot.
The relationship between the citizen and the government is a classic manipulative marriage of convenience. The person you thought you married turns out to be an entirely different monster once you are legally bound.
Good grades are overrated. They are not a key to economic success and the emphasis needs to be dropped. It is the equivalent of stating that a gym is the only way to get fit.