What do we do when "our elected politicians" don't really speak for the people?

Question

I have been mulling this over for a while now. What do "We the People" do when the people "WE" elect don't represent the majority? What do we do when "money" wins the heart of our "Elected Voice"? The most common answer I have recieved was (Elect someone else next term), but what happens when money wins them over as well? At what point do "We the People" have a voice, and when we don't (like right now) what are we willing to do about it?

Not that we are not represented by our elected officials, but we are at the mercy of greed. We have to rely on the vote of a small elected body that could (and has before) been swayed by money. The biggest thing on my mind is "As a patriot and a former member of the US military, that swore my life to defending this nation foriegn and domestic) I have strong views on many things going on with our government, and feel obligated to do something about it (like the founding fathers before us) but within the limitations of the law. I sit back and see the things that are happening to this country, and no matter which way I vote, they only seem to get worse. At what point do "We the People" step in and stand up to the system? And, when we are shut down by the system, why do we not stand up again until something is done one way or the other?

In response to the answer as to why I don't do what I can to get that person out of office, "I have done what I think is safely possible", I have addressed my oppinion, and have even had support, but I and all the others behind me have been shut down. Once again, money has won over the popular oppinion. I say this at some risk to my well being, which is why I will not state the specific representitive"s" involved in this question, but I can only speculate that this is happening in other states than just my own. Why should these politicians worry about being re-elected, when they are " rich" no matter what happens. I have voted against them, but unfortunatley, the majority seems to lack the ability or interest to vote when the time comes. I know that an immediate answer would be to get everyone to vote, but how do you force people that don't care one way or the other to take action. These are the individuals that complain about the system, but refuse to take any action.

Answer 1

...well, you can look a bit closer at the challengers and work for their campaign.

Answer 2

As long as people in government know that only a small minority of people vote in elections and of those only a small number of people know what is going on the peoples voice is not heard. If it were not for watch dog agencies and individuals and the press who watch and report things woudl be even worse.

It is just possible that your representative is actually a good person who would follow the wishes of his electorate if these wishes known by him/her. Why not try writing letters to your representative or getting up a petition to present to him showing the will of the community. Take him to task for his voting record where he has not represented you. If this fails do what you can get him out of office. If the nest person is no better morally he may at least want to keep his job.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, "We" as in the people usually amounts to maybe 10% of the population that could vote but do not bother. This isn't enough to make any politician worry; they know that the ones with clout will show up on election day. But the bottom line is that we are a nation of highly greedy, self-centered people and few have that old fashion character flaw: integrity. If you are really old you might remember when a handshake would seal a deal; no contracts, no lawyers, no worry. I detest political partys and refuse to be identified with one.
Platforms mean nothing! (Remember the Republican "contract with American?) No matter who wins, what convictions they have, or what "party" they belong to, they have to tow the line or the "party" will drive them out.
Alas, our system still is better than most in the world.

Answer 4

As the following passage from the Declaration of Independence indicates, people are not yet suffering enough. Things will need to get a lot worse before there is a groundswell of support for change. Life is still pretty good in this country. We are more comfortable than ever.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Answer 5

Our contemporary understanding of quantuum concept has many stange effects that defy uncomplicated experience. i do ask your self even if if there may well be something we are lacking which will make all those epicycles upon epicycles remodel into an ellipse. yet on the different hand, a lot of those unusual effects look properly -examined. according to threat we basically might desire to settle for that certainty is strange. For astronomy, if we detect dark count or a lifelike use for its 11 dimensions the universe might look quite diverse. for astrobiology, the biggest question for us is extraterrestrial beings... even if if we study that there are some, or study that there 1are none (or a minimum of no longer something close). the two possibilities are frightening, yet i do no longer recognize it is scariest.

Answer 6

The libertarian answer, the one I subscribe to, is to take away that which is being corrupted. The government is doing all sorts of things it has no business doing. Libertarians want to make government small and to have it doing only those things that protect the citizens from uninitiated force and fraud. If you take away the government spending on everything, you take away the attractive nuisance... the reason people corrupt it. In other words, what sense is there in paying off your Congressman if he has no power to send money your way.

Obviously there is still something there to be corrupted, but less.

part 2 of the answer is, impeach them. Start kicking people out of office when they misbehave. Get active. Contact others.

Answer 7

You vote them out. Have you ever thought, however, that they may be representing what a majority of their constituents want? Just because you don't agree with a decision of a politician, doesn't mean he isn't speaking for the people.

Answer 8

The Corporations with their money own the politicians. Honest men and women can't be elected because it's too expensive to campaign.
Politics is mostly about electing someone based on their looks and how well they lie to us.

Answer 9

kick the republicans out and put democrats in office they care about the american people the republicans dont look at social security many americans need it thats why the democrats put it in place and the republicans are trying to take it away they are just complete idiots.

HAD ENOUGH? VOTE DEMOCRAT IN 08

Answer 10

OUr right to bear arms sounds like a good solution.....or a good ol' fashioned necktie party. After one or 2 maybe the rest will decide to do what we sent them there to do. In the colonial days we used to "tar and feather" those who would misrepresent and do the same things our reps are doing. Maybe we should go back to basic practices.

Answer 11

Just because you don't like a particular elected official or your party didn't win doesn't mean the system has failed. Big money interests donate to BOTH parties. If it is news to you I am not surprised.