Robert Reich: American Democracy Is Diseased

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/economy/robert-reich-american-democracy-diseased



Americans are sick of politics. Only 13 percent approve of the job Congress is doing, a near record low. The President’s approval ratings are also in the basement.

A large portion of the public doesn’t even bother voting. Only 57.5 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in the 2012 presidential election.

Put simply, most Americans feel powerless, and assume the political game is fixed. So why bother?

A new study scheduled to be published in this fall by Princeton’s Martin Gilens and Northwestern University’s Benjamin Page confirms our worst suspicions.


***ok -- how many bullshit posters will show up and talk about this is a republic and not a democracy or some other silly bullshit?

[BlueCaliDem]

1. "most Americans feel powerless, and assume the political game is fixed. So why bother? "

Because what is the alternative? Sitting home, complaining, as corporations finish off the American system of democracy - and complain some more?

Change doesn't come easily nor quickly. The corporatists in this country have worked tirelessly and paid hundreds of millions of dollars for over three decades to get this country where it is today. If they refuse to quit to make this country into their ideal world - an oligarchy or as Mussolini would call it, a fascist State -that it is becoming today, why should we lie down and quit making this country into the democracy we hope and envision her to be?

[Bragi]

2. Maybe it's too late to save/rebuild U.S democracy

A functioning democracy requires an informed citizenry weighing policy options, and voting for the candidate(s) that best represents their views.

The reality is that public information channels are now owned by oligarchs, and with this comes the ability to shape public opinion in whatever way they wish.

In addition, they can and do deploy their huge riches to buy the candidates, and the electoral process, so that no significant choices are presented to voters, and whichever way they vote, they pretty much get the result that the oligarchs want.

Which is to say that American democracy is profoundly broken, and irreparable as long as those with money are allowed to own public information channels and electoral and legislative outcomes.

[BlueCaliDem]

5. There was a time when the highest law in the land - the U.S. Constitution - declared Blacks

3/5ths of a White man (it says "person" but we know what they mean) and women didn't have the right to vote. It took time, but things did change, and through the electoral process, this country beat back racism, bigotry, and xenophobia in our government.

The key is to remember that our power as a citizenry lies not in the White House, but in the U.S. House of Representatives, starting at the State level (governorships and legislatures where gerrymandering districts to favor one Party over the other, begins).

You're right, public information channels via print, broadcast, and cable are owned by the oligarchs. But not the Internet - there where the majority of people are now getting their news, either via sites like this or via Facebook and Twitter (believe it or not). Yes, if a person relies solely on traditional media under the assumption that we still have a viable Fourth Estate, then they'll have the wool pulled over their eyes. True.

But I haven't lost hope yet. There is ample historical precedence that we can take back our democracy if we want to. The question is, do we want to?

[hifiguy]

3. The Princeton study that has been discussed around these parts

PROVES that ordinary people, even when in significant majorities, have ZERO effect on public policy decisions. Perhaps that is the underlying cause of the problem. JAIL the rich and confiscate their fortunes. Amend the Constitution to absolutely and completely BAN any corporate contributions to any and all political campaigns. END corporate personhood. Then we will have something to talk about in terms of restoring the government to the people.

[betterdemsonly]

4. The biggest oppression they are doing to us right now

is that they are denying us the opportunity to vote for candidates that actually represent us. Hillary's coronation being the prime example.

[corkhead]

6. Meanwhile in the Republican gerrymandered district I live in

the Republican candidate for the state house won with only 26% of the REPUBLICAN vote against 5 other candidates. Because of the gerrymandering of our district, he is a shoo in for November.

This is how we get wild eyed teabaggers "representing" us. That crazy gun nut bought his nomination by spending way more money than his opponents on signs with pictures of tractors on them carpet bombing the district mailboxes with all kinds of big glossy postcards and even one hunter orange post card that had a simple message about "protecting our freedom" by "protecting our second amendment rights".

I am stuck being "represented" by a person that was actually selected by less than 18% of the voters, and when you calculate the meager 18% voter turnout into the equation, we are going to be "represented" by someone who only a little over 3% of the district's eligible voters cast their primary vote for.

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2014/08/republican_brett_roberts_wins.html

Wonder why things are as fucked up as they are?

[woo me with science]

8. K&R

[Octafish]

9. 'Diseased'?

I worry it's four of those letters when only the wealthy can influence policy and most of the masses haven't a clue what is being done to them.