Holy dualism
To most Americans, especially Conservatives, my stating “democracy” is flawed as a system of government is heresy. But the evidence can be clearly seen if you open your shut eyes.
The concept of democracy as a form of government is based on having a large enough base of people voting for what is best. But the question becomes best for whom? A simple experiment can demonstrate the fallacy of that tenet. If you corral a bunch of teenagers and ask them which would they prefer, skipping English class the rest of the month or going, the answer is a foregone conclusion. The majority will consistently vote to skip class. Your rebuttal might be that the voting populous is more mature than a bunch of teenagers. Actually, pollsters will tell you that they are not.
The second tenet of democracy is that people will subjugate desires if they are not really in their best interest. The English class attendance demonstrates that is not true.
The third tenet is that elections in a democracy will attract a board cross section of participation. The conservatives represent just 17% of the electorate in America. Yet they have dominated the political agenda in America for nearly two decades. Why? It is because of apathy by many voters. In fact election participation has been steadily dropping until the last presidential election.
The forth tenet is that in a democracy the voters ultimately set the rules. But we have seen throughout the world democratically elected leaders, that once in office, change the rules to create an enduring mandate to rule as they see fit. Remember the gerrymandering in Texas that made the national news? The elected leaders first action is often to skew the judiciary. Do you remember the judge firing a couple of years ago by the Justice Department?
The fifth tenet is that the people will make certain in a democracy only the best candidates reach the ballet. That is not necessarily true with a vetting process dominated by political parties, special interests and money. There was an article in the newspaper today lambasting McCain’s vice presidential running mate choice. The article blamed the vetting process. McCain’s first and second choice could not be successful in getting through the vetting process, Lieberman and Ridge.
The sixth tenet is that an elected official can make dramatic change. The American system of government is geared to prevent that from happening. The current iteration of government is designed to be a roadblock to change. Political negotiation dilutes any major change.
The seventh tenet is that the voters are astute and fully involved in their government’s actions. If it were so, less people would subscribe to the slant of Fox news.
Why have we not changed if democracy has failed as a system of government? The answer is religion. The unwavering faith in the holy dualism of democracy and capitalism.
To most Americans, especially Conservatives, my stating “democracy” is flawed as a system of government is heresy. But the evidence can be clearly seen if you open your shut eyes.
The concept of democracy as a form of government is based on having a large enough base of people voting for what is best. But the question becomes best for whom? A simple experiment can demonstrate the fallacy of that tenet. If you corral a bunch of teenagers and ask them which would they prefer, skipping English class the rest of the month or going, the answer is a foregone conclusion. The majority will consistently vote to skip class. Your rebuttal might be that the voting populous is more mature than a bunch of teenagers. Actually, pollsters will tell you that they are not.
The second tenet of democracy is that people will subjugate desires if they are not really in their best interest. The English class attendance demonstrates that is not true.
The third tenet is that elections in a democracy will attract a board cross section of participation. The conservatives represent just 17% of the electorate in America. Yet they have dominated the political agenda in America for nearly two decades. Why? It is because of apathy by many voters. In fact election participation has been steadily dropping until the last presidential election.
The forth tenet is that in a democracy the voters ultimately set the rules. But we have seen throughout the world democratically elected leaders, that once in office, change the rules to create an enduring mandate to rule as they see fit. Remember the gerrymandering in Texas that made the national news? The elected leaders first action is often to skew the judiciary. Do you remember the judge firing a couple of years ago by the Justice Department?
The fifth tenet is that the people will make certain in a democracy only the best candidates reach the ballet. That is not necessarily true with a vetting process dominated by political parties, special interests and money. There was an article in the newspaper today lambasting McCain’s vice presidential running mate choice. The article blamed the vetting process. McCain’s first and second choice could not be successful in getting through the vetting process, Lieberman and Ridge.
The sixth tenet is that an elected official can make dramatic change. The American system of government is geared to prevent that from happening. The current iteration of government is designed to be a roadblock to change. Political negotiation dilutes any major change.
The seventh tenet is that the voters are astute and fully involved in their government’s actions. If it were so, less people would subscribe to the slant of Fox news.
Why have we not changed if democracy has failed as a system of government? The answer is religion. The unwavering faith in the holy dualism of democracy and capitalism.
Labels: holy dualism
posted by CartoonsTE | 5:34 PM
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