Red White and Bull Shit: Exactly How Dependable Is Democracy?

If there's one thing everyone seems to be able to agree on in America, it's that we all have the right to disagree. We have turned that train of thought into a system we prize very much, also known as democracy. Democracy of course has multiple advantages, but sometimes I can't help but see some fallbacks to the utillitarian, 'power to the people' philosophy, especially with the current elections in place. Just because people vote for a canidate, are they really voting for what they want or need?

If you read my last blog entry/quote, it's frightening to think that some people would support a variety of issues that they have no idea about, simply because a canidate claims to support Christian values. True, he is against abortion, gay marriage, and a large amount of stem cell research, but what about the billions of other things he's affected? One issue voting is a pretty dangerous way to go if you're not looking at the whole picture. And finally, what the hell does religion have to do with politics in general? Aren't we supposed to be glad we at least try to put up the illusion of seperating the two, having viewed the atrocities of middle eastern theocracies? Everyone has a right to their own beliefs, and if you want to believe that the gay couple next door to you are going to burn in hell for their sins, that's fine. But leave the punishing up to God, not the government. (And if you do think the government is more necessary than God to do that, then I ask you to reasses your personal faith to begin with.)

A lot of people are also far too easily swayed by charisma. Just because a canidate has good social skills, it does not mean he has good leadership skills. Wasn't it President Johnson whose poor social skills actually made him work even harder for people while he was in the oval office just to gain their support? That's the kind of thing that should sway a person's vote, not a sturdy handshake or a kiss on your baby's forhead. In fact, alot of the campaigning that happens, especially for the presidency, is frankly total BS. It's pure marketing. Whether it's republicans trying to appeal to family values and small home town America, or democrats just insulting the hell out of the Bush presidency at any excuse, neither of these are particularly informative to me when the polls open up. Why can't they just skip all the PR bullshit and give me a list of what each canidate is standing for and what (s)he's not, what (s)he plans to do about current and possible future problems, and maybe even have and independant organization do some research for me. How did (s)he do in lower politics? what is the ratio of things (s)he said (s)he would do compared to the things (s)he actually did? etc. etc. I know it sounds oversimplfied, but I would much rather have a straightforward packet of information from an unbiased organization than have to listen to speeches that try and speak to our emotional side instead of our sensible one. True, we've got the debates, and I don't know how many voters tune in for them, but I have a feeling it's miniscule compared to the hoards of people at political campaign events. And didn't Kennedy even manage to turn the debates into a PR event? Finally, if you're going to advertise yourself, please do advertise yourself. One of my major pet peeves is when politicians devote entire add campaigns to spilling dirt on their opponents. Seriously, do you have anything better to say? At least try to balance it out a little.

Then of course, there are the people who join a party and stick to it. It doesn't matter who they're voting for, so long as their party is in power. I also think this is not such a good idea. Do you know why some sort of two part system has lasted in this country almost since it was founded? that's because, and obviously no devoted party member will admit it, but neither ideology is perfect for every situation. It's a known fact that when the economy is going well, people want freer markets and fewer trade barriers, while in times of economic trouble people will sacrafice more capitalistic freedoms for food on the table. It doesn't make sense to vote for the same party at every election, simply because the changing times make some idealogies better for the current situation than others. (This doesn't hold true in all cases, but it can be said about many of them)

So what should we do about this? Sadly, there's not much. I think it would be great if we could create an organization to compile and distribute completely unbiased information about canidates to every registered voter, (which would probably cause an onset of slander lawsuits and bribing, not to mention be very costly) and maybe give every voter a class in how to handle and analyze this information to what really suits their needs, (again, mucho opportunities for subjectivity and a huge cost to tax payers) then we would see a more intelligent voter turn out. This way, canidates could cut the crap and be forced to get to the point. I know this program sounds really idealistic, but something has to be done.

American people live in a country that empowers them more than many other countries worldwide, and in exchange for this great power comes the responsibility to use it wisely by voting intelligently. Just think of how much happier everyone could be if they invested a little more thought and effort into the future of their country or state! Think of the higher standards government would be held to, and the better integrity of its people and policies! It's pathetic that a large percentage of Americans don't even care enough to vote to begin with, but of those who do, so many are easily swayed for the wrong reason. Only the people can stop this, and if it continues, only the people will suffer.