Have you ever entered a voting booth and picked a candidate based on the 'fact' that the name was 'familiar' to you?

You're not alone. 'Name familiarity' is often equated to familiarity with the facts about each candidate and what they stand for.

"Who's that judge?

I don't know much about him but I did see his name on a sign and he has an 'R' next to his name.

He'll represent my interests."

Conservatives should feel a sense of camaraderie with other like minded voters that go straight for the 'R's' when they pull the lever based on a letter and name recognition.

They'll have done their 'civic duty'. (And the rest of us will have to work to undo what they've done) Remember Bush? Yes, 'W'?
Many Americans do this.

They're busy and political signs give them as much information as they feel they  need to choose who runs the country or their local community.
Don't believe me?
Look around your town after election day, see who won and compare that win to which candidate had the most yard signs.

You'll see the correlation.
Pretty sad.
People also use the political ads broadcast by SUPERPACs to make their choice as well.
How many voters actually do a little investigative work to understand which candidate will truly represent them?
The number would horrify you, that's if you're a voter that actually cares about these things.
Many voters will pull the lever based on, "I'm an 'R' , he's an 'R' and my Dad was an 'R'." That works for them.
Well, the 'R's' of your 'Dad's Day' has changed from then to nowadays but if you're watching 'Housewives of Wherever' and other shows of this type all the time, you've probably missed programs that would better inform you about your choices.
Don't worry, 'R's', be happy!

In a few years, the 'D's' won't have to worry that you're not paying attention.
The 'D's' will eventually outnumber the 'R's' and it will then be a choice between which of the 'D's' will represent the interests of Americans.

In all fairness, there are Democrats that do this too, but at least their ignorance is supporting candidates that will represent them rather than corporations.