It does not take reading and writing skills to know what is good for oneself. Just because the majority of farmers do not know how to read and write does not mean they don't have a highly sophisticated understanding of nature, of the weather, of fluid dynamics, of soil science, of botany, of zoology, and of their society ... and their ability to tell right from wrong, good from bad, and to know what leaders to trust and what leaders not to trust (and thus who to vote for) ... that has nothing to do with whether they have been to school or not. Reading a newspaper is not essential for figuring out national and international issues (and who to vote for) as long as there are uncensored radio and television stations, and the ability to make and receive phonecalls from friends and relatives in other parts of the country and the world...