If the majority of the voters want something to be done, shouldn't elected officials do it? Assuming it is a legal undertaking.
Why do elected officials do the bidding of vocal minorities and not the silent majorities?
2006-07-28 08:36:17 · 12 answers · asked by Steve R 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
If you choose to answer, please be polite, not abusive. And proof your answer for spelling and grammar. And no name calling.
2006-07-28 08:39:29 · update #1
The concept of a representative form of government is that those elected will represent, and act in the bests interests of, their constituents -- the people who voted for them.
Let's say that works in its ideal form. 100 people get together and elect someone. Then an issue arises. Of those 100 people, 20 say they want the elected official to act one way, and 5 say they want her to act a different way. 75 don't say anything. If the official acts according to the vocal minority of 20, is she acting in the best interests of everyone? Yes, if the 75 agree with the 20 but just didn't say anything. No, if the 75 agree with the 5, and didn't say anything. The official doesn't know, so she supports the position the 80% of those who spoke.
That's the problem with a silent majority. Being silent, there's no way to know what they want. So, politicians (at best) can only rely on those who express an opinion.
That's in an ideal world. Too often, politicians do what they want, based on whose giving them money, and thus serve the lobbying interests regardless of what their constituents want. Sadly, the net result is the same as when the elected official was trying to do the right thing. In both cases, the problem is that the silent majority shouldn't stay silent.
Or look at it this way. Congress has a 98% incumbency rate, and a 28% approval rate. Something is wrong with these numbers. It's time for the people to stop being silent.
2006-07-28 08:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are two conventional theories in politics and the one you spell out is not accepted by the majority of either party - in fact its followers are very few. In most cases its followers end up defeated in elections by the way.
The first is what you suggest and a Supreme Court Justice in the 1800's stated it clearly; "if the people want to go to hell its my job to lead them there" I loved that quote and used it while it office quite often.
The second is more commonly applied and its that the public is not privy to the complex data and facts necessary to make the "right" decision. If the public knew as much as the politician they would agree with them. That is the common theory of most politicians...
2006-07-28 15:39:50 · answer #2 · answered by netjr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes politicians are supposed to do the will of the people. But somehow they have it in thier head that they are now the boss of us. I've talked with many of them about building renewable power that I invented and got patented. Today it's so bad if you don't have $100,000 for their campaign fund they don't even talk to you! We don't get as much attention as $%*T on the bottom their shoe! It's not vocal minorities,it's big money special interests. The politicians get $100,000 a pop per issue.
2006-07-28 17:43:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
AHHHHHHHHH@! It is written down, it's called a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. OMG, what is happeneing to this country! Yes, it should be representative (they are even called representatives) but unfortunately, they care more about where their campaign funds come from, then where the votes come from. SO, they have to represent special interest groups (called special, because they aren't broad) and screw the citizens. I suspect we are due for a political coup. I'm with you. Oh yeah, and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So make more noise!
2006-07-28 15:45:39 · answer #4 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, in the best of all possible worlds..that this aint! It's not so much the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, actually it's the well oiled wheel when it comes to politics. The wealth is counted in big bucks and votes. Silent minorities get what they ask for..nothing!
2006-07-28 15:39:07 · answer #5 · answered by friscolady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. It's not written down in the constitution
2. The will of which 'people'?
The voters? or the campaign supporters with the $$$?
Two different expectations for different groups.
2006-07-28 15:41:34 · answer #6 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Politicians are liars and crooks, Lobbyist IS ILLEGAL not should be, offering or accepting ANY type of favors in an attempt to encourage or discourage political action is called bribery.
But as long as we Americans allow it and go with the lies they tell us to appease us we deserve what we get.
Other nations rise up and change corrupt governments!
2006-07-28 16:16:20 · answer #7 · answered by macdyver60 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all about the money. Where is the money coming from? If they are on the payroll of NOW, then they are gonna be pro-abortion. It's called the spoils system, the American system, Lincolnism, etc. Politician - to the highest bidder.
2006-07-28 15:45:32 · answer #8 · answered by jpj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Because we are a Republic. You elect someone you THINK will do what you want him/her to do. If they don't, then you have the power to replace them in the next election.
2006-07-28 15:41:20 · answer #9 · answered by Dave B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you're right. Which politicians are you talking about, what situation, what vocal minorities, and what decisions?
2006-07-28 15:38:45 · answer #10 · answered by Sufi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋