How to Save American Politics
The problem with the American political system today is not the politicians.
It's not the rhetoric, or the corruption. It's not the tough issues we're facing as a country, or even the partisan warfare that we witness in Congress. The real problem with politics in the U.S. today is you. Yeah, that's right. It's you. You, the voter. Not Rod Blagojevich, not John Edwards. It is you.
The American voter is killing our nation's political system, and with it, our country.
How, you ask? Let me tell you how. Too many voters in our country fall into one of the following two categories:
A) Politically informed, educated and opinionated. Belonging to one party, and passionate in their support of that party. Willing to play the game of "politics," at times voting for a candidate whom they neither like nor support, in order to keep another candidate from being elected.
B) The "average" American. This person is a mass media consumer and a product of the "reality TV" generation. They think Donald Trump would be a good candidate as President because they "know" him from Apprentice, but have no idea what he stands for politically. Their votes are won by snippits and cameos, not earned through public service and good political sense.
In my mind, each of these two categories of voters is just as hurtful to our nation as the other. Each is often blinded by ignorance and unable to see the true value of diligent men and women who possess the capacity to push our nation forward successfully.
Too often are our votes wasted in an effort to thwart opponents or support the bandwagon. Too seldom do we see through the rhetoric and perceive the candidate for what they have to offer.
This is not the NBA. This is not Survivor.
The problems that are facing our country will not suddenly disappear if we "vote off" the incumbent or trade them for the new All-Star in town. Our nation's most pervasive issues run 300 million citizens deep. They will not be solved by electing a few hundred new Congressmen/Congresswomen and a few dozen Cabinet members, or even a new President. They will only be solved when the 300 million Americans stop looking for the quick-fix, and start planning for a long-term solution.
A few ideas:
1. Don't expect the candidate you're looking at to solve in one term all of the issues that have faced his predecessors for years or generations
2. Choose the candidate who you think can unite their constituants, not the candidate you feel will pull hardest in a tug-of-war against his/her predecessor or opponents.
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