Why do so few people right or left nor realize we're going to have political gridlock until the next elections

Question

I see many questions asking why congress hasn't done this or that and I have to shake my head, HOW can you be having a political debate and not understand how politics works? The house is a democratic majority nad also votes by simple majority, the senate is a very slight democratic majority but requires 60 votes to pass, the we have a far right administration that has the power of veto over legislation, to overturn this requires a two-thirds majority in each house, so the reality is unless there is broad popular support amongst both groups nothing is going through accept the easy stuff, for everyone who is unhappy about this I say you need to use your voting power to support candidates who will help end gerrymandering, when the folks in office control how the voting district is divided we're screwed, so we need to look for solutions that are honest Here's a couple of ideas
http://www.fairvote.org/reports/1993/amy.html
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=222993

Political debate will always exist, it always has and always will

If you're not so convinced gridlock is bad you're not old enough to remeber when major gains were made in this country through consensus, we're capable of great thins as a nation out past proves it, but we have lost what alowed the greatness by letting the politicians play games with our districts and in turn our lives

OUr system would functio better with more important issues being dealt with, no one said winner take all and ending gerrymandering would not create that, that's a stratch in logic, if you look at how the voting goes in many places you'll see the numbers are there to continue to allow the minority party a voice, but more importantly politicians who understood they were voted in on OUR behalf would, in my opinion, be more responsive to tha fact

Answer 1

I'd just like to point out a small flaw in your plan for fair voting. Right now, and for the last 200+ years since the Constitution was written, there has been no "Winner take all" rule here in the United States. The minority party has the right to filibuster the Senate (the House of Representatives has no such "balance of power" rule). This keeps the majority from pressing laws on the minority. Both major parties have used this to their advantage, and both parties, when in the majority, whine when the other party, in the minority, uses it to block legislation. However, it is becoming a dated law, mainly used when one party doesn't get its way 100%.

As to the redistricting proposals to attempt to eliminate competition in some states (Texas, North Carolina, and a few other states come to mind in recent history), I wholeheartedly agree. It is totally wrong, and I think it's a good idea to eliminate it by having a party independent from either major political party, or a bipartisan group, to draw up the voting districts, much like it was done in Iowa. Then, both sides are appeased, voters are satisfied, and it balances the power evenly. This was the Democrats' idea to stay in power longer (in the case of Texas, when Republicans finally got mad and voted the Democrats into a minority, then wanted to redo the districts properly, the Democrats ran to Oklahoma to avoid voting on it, hoping to stall the vote until it was too late. Talk about your childish acts).

By the way, in context to your original question, what makes you think the next election will eliminate gridlock? I still predict, with people like Hillary Clinton and John McCain running, it'll end in gridlock again. Women who previously voted Republican will vote for Clinton, while men who previously voted Democrat will vote for McCain, and the gridlock will resume.

My prediction: the only way to eliminate gridlock is, like yours, to get the public to agree.

Either that, or install a dictator like Hugo Chavez.
(Just kidding).

Answer 2

Political debate is essential; rarely is their unanamous agreement on issues BUT what we dont NEED in this country is dishonest self-serving Politicians who are obsessed with power wars.
--Gridlock exists:
- because the press has become the essential TOOL. The DEms/Libs have succesfully gained control of the press. The population can be manipulated with selective information
(terrorists also selective info/propaganda to assist their goals)
-because politicians obsession with achieving personal power has allowed politicians the ability to sell/demand "XX" in return fro their yea/nay vote...
In short, WE(the people) no longer have representatives focusing on the wellbeing of the Nation. The congress is serving their individual member needs and party needs using the press as the bully boy and the indoctrinator.
Once "XX" is declared a "problem " politicians can get airtime to convince the public that they are going to get this "problem" fixed...
In reality the "Problem" is WILL not be addressed. Politicians fear negative response from their "fiscal" supporters and loss of votes. Analysis will be conducted individually and along part lines to determine if and how this problem can be solved without damaging or loosing support.
The advantage they hold is that with the media manipulation available, the public can be easily distracted . They live and work unlike the congress that lives,breaths and exists for the power game,the off the record "discussions",the tit for tat deals that if ever exposed would bring public outrage /demands for prosecution/ and god forbid --potential ejection from the game (their job).
Originally(serving in) Congress was NEVER designed to be a LIFE CAREER...we have addicted career politicians whose webs exist because of the hundreds of anchor behind the scenes anchor "agreements"that provide individual benefits/support etc...
SAD this nation is no longer ..by the people for the people with the focus on securing the nation, and providing for the CITIZENS.

Answer 3

Unfortunately we are going to have political gridlock for quite some time in the USA. The country is evenly split on too many controversial issues and since the Republicans began attacking Bill Clinton in the 90s, they created as very polarized atmosphere in Washington.

Answer 4

If we didn't have the gridlock, this forum of fun wouldn't exist. People that vote straight party ticket are going to vote that way no matter how much you argue and make valid opposing points to them. Most people that vote issues will vote the way their opinions dictate. Some people, very few, will vote the issues and take into consideration opposing thoughts they might see or hear.

Answer 5

I'm not convinced that "gridlock" is a bad thing.