I have had a few days to consider the out come of Election 2006. The amazing fact of this election is that less than 35% of this countries citizens voted and that control of the senate came down to less than 10,000 votes. This in a country of 300 million. That means that the population of one large town, held the power to decide the course of this nation.
When one looks at the country colored by county it looks a lot more purple that red or blue. This in a country were only one out of three people vote. How would the map color change if we had more than 70% of us voting. Would it be more one or the other, or would the color blend even more.
Perhaps the reason so few of us vote is because we really don't have a political party that represent the true feeling of the US voters. Why can't the moderates of both the Republican and Democratic parties come together on there common ground and have a moderate party, and leave the extremes to the two parties we now have.
The Neo-Republicans could pursue their far right agenda and the Neo-Democrats could define what a liberal agenda really is without everyone that isn't a republican being defined as a liberal. Leaving the majority of voters that are moderates be just that, moderate. Then if one or the other party wants to get a issue pasted or introduced into the public debate then they would need the participation of the moderates to get support into the political arena.
You said: "Perhaps the reason so few of us vote is because we really don't have a political party that represent the true feeling of the US voters."
ReplyDeleteHere I agree with you Aprilloper. But I don't think there is any evidence that the "true feelings" of American voters fall between Republicans and Democrats.
Through polls it has been shown over and over again that an overwhelming number of Americans (70%) want universal health care. So you're right, Americans' wishes are not being represented by the parties, but that is because this particular issue is far left of what our elected officials are willing to do. On other issues, many Americans favor action that is further right than moderates are willing to take.
More importantly, a democracy is supposed to be about representing the will of the people, not for politicians (right or left) to pursue their own personal agendas. What the American public appears to be tired of and the likely explanation for why they are not turning out to vote is that they are disaffected by the electoral process. They make simple demand (universal health care) and their elected officials won't even see to it that that happens.
On the other hand, Missoula, MT was able to turn out and provide the country with a potential change in Jon Tester. They even voted to have county law enforcement de-emphasize the enforcement of marijuana offenses in order to pursue true criminals.
Finally, before we allow our discourse to be completely framed for us, I suggest we try to do away with the whole "blue state/red state" thing. It's effective in keeping discourse narrowed between "liberal/conservative" agendas. I for one believe most Americans (like most humans) are much further left then the establishment, but that the majority are unaware of the reality of things. Few, for example, understand the system which oppresses them.
Americans want to believe in something. They're taught how to fulfill their duties relentlessly in our schools as so when they are told that wars are necessary, that Patriot Acts are necessary, that the debate in the country is representative of American opinions, etc. who are they to believe/trust? Their gut? No, they are taught to trust in their great patron saint Uncle Sam. Look at all we have. Look at all we've done. Look at our ermine white capitol. Look at our saintly glow. Look at the way we've saved the world. Look everywhere but where you want to look. V for Vendetta was set in London, but the confusion of the masses in that film was an obvious parody of the American masses. So was the Matrix.
Bob Marley:
"Old pirates, yes, they rob i;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took i
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the and of the almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Wont you help to sing
These songs of freedom? -
cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? ooh!
Some say its just a part of it:
Weve got to fulfil de book."