Or do you believe Government and legislation is controlled by lobbyists and Special Interest Groups? If the latter, do you think this is good, or how should it be changed?
2006-09-13 04:30:29 · 18 answers · asked by Jimbo 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Of course we still run the country, but we run it poorly by constantly re-electing representatives who can't do the job properly. If we really wanted a balanced budget, a sane tax code, more governmental concern for citizens instead of corporations, and so on, then we'd elect the kind of representatives who could make that happen.
We have exactly the kind of government we voted for. If we want something different, we have to do something different. For example, if we decided to vote "no" this year to every incumbent who's seeking re-election, we'd send a powerful message to the next Congress. We'd remind them that they serve at *our* pleasure, and we're not pleased.
JMB
2006-09-13 04:41:03 · answer #1 · answered by levyrat 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the people stopped running the government way back when they hung up their guns and decided that elections were not their problem.
If you count the number of registered voters that vote vs. the number of people eligible to register to vote, you will see why special interest groups and lobbyists came to control the government.
2006-09-13 11:46:48 · answer #2 · answered by J j 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid have to say this: no. The only people running the government are the special interests, political cronies, and the corrupted politicians. No wonder why things just can never be done on Capitol Hill! It's because of them, of course! And we're getting screwed big time!
2006-09-13 12:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by brian 2010 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do believe the people run government. Unfortunately, however, most people don't believe this and so they do not vote. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain. One thing, though, that I think happens a lot is that the politicians lose sight of what the people want. They are can become unconnected. Especially Senators. And that is the one change I would make. Both Representatives and Senators should have term limits. Many ignorant people will vote for someone simply because they recognize the name. Instituting term limits would make sure that we always have fresh blood in our government.
2006-09-13 11:35:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Green Paper runs the American Gov't.
But I don't like to admit that.
If enough people cared, if we could get 100% participation from our citizenry, we could change things, but people are complacent. The American way of life...even for low income people is comfortable enough that we worry less about our government and more about whether or not Brad and Angelina will be getting married and if Brittany is going to have another little Federline...very sad, really.
2006-09-13 11:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Special Interest Groups and Lobbyists represent the people. For example the pro-life lobby represents people with the same beliefs and visa versa, so the question doesn't make sense to me.
2006-09-13 11:34:37 · answer #6 · answered by MEL T 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the people NEVER ran the govenment. we merely elect the officals and pray that they will represent our interests. i think that our interests get represented in their first year in office and then after that 'our' representatives are out to line their own pockets. 9 time out of 10 our interests are NEVER considered. it's all about special interest and big business. we really need to eliminate special interest and make accepting gifts, money illegal for any government position. we should do like the ancient romans, a public offical caught accepting bribes/gifts should have his nose cut-off. government for the people, by the people....
2006-09-13 11:42:25 · answer #7 · answered by JuJitsu_Fan 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The people usually think they have something to say, but all they get to do is pick from two who have been previously chosen by the mentioned powers. Either one is acceptable to the Special Interests.
2006-09-13 11:42:11 · answer #8 · answered by Rja 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
SOME people still run the govt. whether the REPRESENTATIVES actually faithfully represent their constituents, or pander to lobbyists who offer them things is up to the representative. sadly, you hear more about the bad one than the good ones.
2006-09-13 11:40:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh your serious?
No!
Your question sugests they once did?
The people have never really controlled the govenment of the USA.
The english were kicked out and then a bunch of power hungry aristocrats took over and told everybody that they were free and running the country (both blatent lies).
2006-09-13 11:44:19 · answer #10 · answered by StoneWeasel 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋