My generation is suffering due to the failures and short-sightedness of those before us. How do we stop this from happening again? Reform, of course. Change what went wrong in the past so it doesn't happen again in the future. Makes sense. But how do we guarantee that we don't allow ourselves to fall into another situation just as catastrophic, or worse, in the future? No retroactive policy reform is going to do that.
Only education can give us the long-term stability we desperately need. Education = rational debate and elections = more effective governance = a stable, productive and powerful America. If we become smarter, so too will our leaders. Too many big decisions are put off by elected officials too scared to do anything good for the country in the long-term if it means displeasing voters in the short-term. This (and gerrymandering) has been the nature of the beast for basically all of American political history. This model, however instinctive and logical, needs to go.
America needs more politicians like the ones our forefathers envisioned: men both enlightened and practical, faithful and humanistic, steeped in both tradition and progress. True patriots who felt a duty to serve their country, unafraid to make hard decisions when necessary. Someone who puts the good of the country over their own political fortunes without hesitation is a representative in the noblest sense of the word. Where are these people?? Politics and government in America was never meant to be synonymous with corruption and ineffectuality in the public mind. People like Sarah Palin should not be as influential as they are and issues like race, abortion and gay marriage should not keep us from doing what needs to get done. I refuse to believe this is the America George Washington imagined. (In fact, Washington warned of the distracting and divisive nature of political bickering between parties in his farewell address.)
We can easily recruit men and women closer to this mold if we start basing our opinions on facts and not blind, distorted logic. This can be difficult; everything you read is manipulated in one form or another, from the source down (even this). But education doesn't mean a bachelor's degree, it means knowing how to sift through the bullshit in order to find truth in whatever it is you're reading, hearing or watching. Every American can educate themselves through balanced, thoughtful analysis of current events and by resisting the urge to hear one point of view and settle on it.
Basically, we need more Thomas Jeffersons and less Joe Wilsons. More Paines and less Becks. More enlightened pragmatists and less ignorant opportunists. Elections and politics in general should be fueled by factual and relevant dialogue, not stereotypes, hot button issues, unsubstantiated claims, flip-flops, one-liners and regurgitated rhetoric. Am I wrong? I mean, I know there have always been idiots in American politics, but don't you think our founding fathers would be just a little disappointed if they saw how divided our country remains over issues that are irrelevant to what really matters?
The question is not whether you are wrong. The question is how do we accomplish it?
ReplyDeleteOutlaw television. Sound bites and shock and pretty people sway public opinion.
ReplyDeleteYou're screwed on the generational common sense thing to George. With age comes reason ruled by selfishness. I care more about my IRA than social justice for all anymore. I've knocked on my last door and went to my last rally. All I have left is a blog.
The 'soundbite' has led to confirmational bias. Whatever happened to critical thinking?
ReplyDeleteOur founding fathers wouldn't believe what the United States has become. That is a good thing and a bad thing. They would be pleased at many things and terrified at many things. They would scratch their heads over the FBI for example. I believe the FBI is a good thing, but most of the founding fathers would have hated it. Most of the founding fathers would be shocked to see the size of our standing military forces in peace time. However, times change and new things are needed. Being a history guy in law school I try to adhere as often as possible to the intent of the framers. But obviously in all situations this can't be had. For example the Constitution says nothing about an Air Force, but we needed one...so it was done. You can cite the necessary and proper clause as well if you would like.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the problem is like you touched on George and as we have talked about before is simply the lack of civic virtue. The founding fathers were most of all scared of the ignorant fickle and ever changing mob that could be led by various people and/or groups. Millions of Americans represent that ignorant mob today. They are on all sides and all parties of politics. You seemingly can't have a conversation with some people. You ask them about abortion or the War in Iraq and some are just so one sided about the issue, it's pathetic. Further common sense would tell us that Liberals aren't right on every single topic; and common sense would tell us that Conservatives aren't right on every single topic either. Politicians always say oh I can work with the other side. Give me a break..9 times out of 10 that is garbage. Where has all the respect gone? Out the window. Some people believe respect doesn't fit in politics, but that would be a mistake. Is it an impossible dream..perhaps...but nothing is impossible.
The founding fathers granted the freedom of the press so the government wouldn't be able to suppress and hide their actions from the citizens. That right wasn't granted so the press could have rights to take pictures of Brad Pitt, Princess Diana, or Paris Hilton. I speak of celebs, because now a days it seems that the political arena is a Hollywood set. It is sad. However the press gives the people what they want. The press gives the people what sells. The press can't be blamed for everything. More people care about Paris Hilton than they do about Obama. More people voted in the American Idol rounds or whatever they do than in the presidential election I bet. If a Senator from Missouri for example was popular, the press would be all over that..but the problem is that the majority of American citizens couldn't give a crap about politics for 364 days of the year. The press is an amazing tool for the Republic in which we live and die in. The press does amazing things, but the majority of the people don't pay attention to those parts.
What I am getting to finally is exactly what you said..that it starts with the citizens. The ignorant mob needs to become educated.
What is needed is civic virtue. Civic virtue in caring and learning about your village, city, state, nation and finding out about its history; how the government works; how laws are passed; etc..
I think political parties, factions and the press are all good things. Ambition checks ambition. Where has all the respect gone though? Out the window. Some people believe respect can't be in politics, but that would be a mistake. Would be hard to attain?..perhaps...but nothing is impossible. The ignorant mob on all sides of the political spectrum hinders the United States in all respects. The ignorant mob fuels everything that is bad in politics. An educated citizenry would call out its leaders and not put up with it.
" Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. "
Imagine a loved one who is sick and dying... You would do anything to save them, wouldn't you? That's how I feel about my country and it's democracy.
ReplyDeleteIt's sick and dying, and our elected representatives aren't doing what's necessary because they are too blinded by money and special interests. Pay-to-play politics in the United States must be stopped.
Join the fight by contacting your district's representatives today and demanding that they support the Fair Elections Now Act!
http://iv-time.blogspot.com/2010/04/fix-congress-first-lawrence-lessig.html
Fix Congress First!
Spread the word.
The only way attain a more balanced, committed government is through sweeping reform of our political system.
ReplyDeleteFirst lobbyists need to be severely constrained. I am not against having people who represent a special group bringing their concerns before Congress for consideration but the gifts, graft and bribery must stop.
Second, term limits for everyone. Politician should NOT be a career. You serve and then you go home to a private life - period.
Old men in diapers have no business deciding national policy. All senators and congressmen get 2 terms in office - and that's all, ever.
What I'd like to see happen in national elections is a federal fund that doles out equal amounts to ALL viable candidates for travel and media spots. Then a series of debates between the candidates, nationally televised and spread out over the course of the campaign. Without the need for huge war chests perhaps we could finally get rid of the bastardly, dastardly 2 party system and allow other voices to be heard.
A tall order, to be sure...
Barnwell said:
ReplyDelete"You seemingly can't have a conversation with some people."
This is America's problem in its most basic form. Intelligent debate is nonexistent in public political conversation (who knows what happens behind closed doors). It's both funny and sad that in a time when more Americans are educated than ever, this increase in brainpower hasn't made its way over to politics, where the best and the brightest should be ending up. Couldn't agree more that it's not the liberal or conservative mind that's always right, it's the practical mind.
Rock-
I like where you're coming from (especially with the term limit idea) but I don't think America will ever be anything but a two party system. This is because onn the global political spectrum of very far left (as in Soviet Russia) and very far right (as in Nazi Germany), American liberalism and conservatism fall within the moderate range of views. In the grand scheme of things, we're all very much moderate and very much alike, believe it or not. Sure we disagree on issues such as immigration, abortion, capital punishment, gay marriage and other controversial political topics. But when it comes to the big things, such as republican (small r) ideals, capitalist principles and freedom of speech and religion, we are all in agreement. I mean, there are still some countries in Europe where REAL Nazi and socialist parties actually get voter turnout. This is because the political views in these societies are much more scattered across the political spectrum; Americans, as liberal and conservative as some of us are, end up right in the middle of the big picture. We're only separated by our opinions on certain hot button political subjects. In other words, I think America just isn't diverse enough politically to field more than two political parties.
Also, I strongly recommend all of you check out Louis Leo's link on the Fair Elections Now Act...hopefully this is something we can all agree on.
You are so right - for once :) The forefathers you speak of were men of integrity & character. Unfortunately, there are so few of those men(and women) left, and the ones that are left are not politicians. At this point we have all grown accustomed to corruption, sex scandals & greed coming out of Washington.
ReplyDeleteI think that the country needs to rise up as one, start a "we the people" revolt, throw the bastards out & start again...
If we reform the election system and allow for publicly funded elections, then the two party system would be a thing of the past, and everyday citizens from various political affiliations/beliefs could participate in government.
ReplyDeleteWe have to change this label-based mindset. Everyone wants to pick sides, as if there really is only two sides. The reality is that issues in this country and world are far from black and white, there's shades of gray everywhere, and people are spread out over a spectrum ranging from liberal to conservative, anarchist, to fascist.
We need a system that allows for everyone to put differences aside and to participate in government, regardless of class or ideology. Fix Congress First is a step in the right direction: taking money out of politics, and replacing the current system of self-dealing and corruption with logic and reason. We need to even the playing field and get people who understand the meaning of democracy into government office.
I implore you all to watch Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig's presentation, I provided the link above in an earlier comment. Let me know if any of you disagree with what he says.
ReplyDelete"If we reform the election system and allow for publicly funded elections"
ReplyDeleteThat's a very bad idea. For one, the government wastes enough money as it is. For another, it is an attempt to get rid of democracy, by putting government in complete control of who gets to run and how the campaigns are. That's how it was in the old USSR: complete government control of campaigns.
Rocky had some real good ideas, except for the presence government funded/controlled elections in them.
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ReplyDeleteI think you and I are mostly on the same page. Media has definitely made politics into a fame game. Not to mention that the party system is purposely rigid. Good thing CA is trying to do away with partisan primaries at least.
ReplyDelete