Are Americans responsible for the government we have?

Question

I hear people saying that the government doesn't represent the people's interest. But when half of us don't even bother to vote, who is it that really isn't filling their role in this representative democracy?

Slew, whenever I hear someone call for revolt, I say no way. Not until everyone is made to understand that we have a way of rebelling without bloodshed. We can revolt everytime we vote. When the vast majority of us vote and the government still ignores us, that's a different story.

Appollyon, I submit that the real problem is the people who don't bother to vote. I can't personally do anything about the beaurocracy, but my representatives can. The problem is that my representatives obviously need a little kick in the pants once in a while. So that they'll understand who they are really supposed to be answering to. When people don't vote, my leg isn't quite long enough to deliver that kick in the pants on it's own.

Wannamakeabuck2day, duh! So my alternatives are to overthrow the government and follow someone else. Someone who thinks he know all the answers. Someone who would bring down the government simply because the government doesn't do exactly what that someone believes they should do. Someone like you right? No thanks! I don't particularly care for arrogant people. No matter which extreme they claim to represent.

Answer 1

The fact is, the non-voting public has allowed the major political parties and their politicians to take advantage of, and control of, our political process. It doesn't have to stay that way. The voters have the power to demand change. I go by the nickname, the angry voter, because I am fed-up with the manner in which our major political parties and their candidates, no matter whether incumbent or challenger, conduct our nation's political process. We voters must force change to happen. The politicians will not reform unless they are made to do so. I want to provide a venue where the millions of fed-up voters can meet and form a coalition to take advantage of our collective voice and voting power to instill fear of the voting public in the minds of the major political party leaderships and their politicians. The politicians have demonstrated over the last several years that they are either unwilling or unable to police themselves in the areas of ethics and fiscal responsibility. They demonstrate a complete lack of respect for the voters. The time has come for the voters to push back, and change the path that our nation is being led down. It's time for the voters to strike fear into the politicians. Join me.

Answer 2

Our elected officials aren't EXACTLY the problem. The real problem in a government the size of ours it bureaucracy. Long term appointed employees who were never elected yet still control their sector of the government. Good examples are the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, the Secretary of State and other Department heads. These people are appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. However, under each of them in the government are thousands of "career" employees who are almost, but not quite, in the top spot. These are the bureaucrats. They're the gatekeepers and the keymasters of the government.

Answer 3

duh, we are the government. But we dont have any say in anything. Study everything about voting, it will tell you that more people can vote for a democrat , but a republican will be elected. Know did the american people really vote him in? NO the people in government did!
The media which is owned by people in government and the government will tell you that YOU vote people in or whatever, but THEY are the ones who make all the decisions and crap. We dont make any decisions. Except a few amendments that dont mean much because the courts might say is unconstitutional. Or Congress might pass a law making your state amendment unvalid.
We as Americans are stupid and blind and we dont really know it or care. Because we are so busy in our lives that our freedoms are slowly being eroded and we dont know it .

One day there will be a revolt. and then another system of government will be set up, but it will go corrupt, as everything does after a while, usually a generation or two.

Answer 4

I tend to agree americans can only blame themselves for the gov't we have. Although, most people sent a stong messege last year with the general election. I have reletives that yammer on about this or that in gov't but will not vote because it doesn't count in their minds, my feeling is they have no reason to complain if they will take part in the demcratic prossces so many have died to keep alive.

Answer 5

You are correct - people need to vote! And when our elected representatives don't truly "represent" us, we need to make noise about it! Write letters, demonstrate outside their offices, and do whatever it takes to make them take us seriously.

It's about time the U.S. really lived up to the "of the people, by the people, for the people" promise.

Answer 6

... and you nailed the issue perfectly. Anyone who didn't vote in 2000 and/or 2004 but complains now is a hypocrite with no credibility, undeserving of any attention.

Answer 7

Yes, Americans are the one's who are truly to blame. We put our powers that be in office by voting for them.

Answer 8

Yes we are. WE voted them in. In fact all countries are responsible. If the y ahve a bad government , they should rebel.

Answer 9

you bet ye, you gets what you votes for.

Answer 10

Indeed. If you're a chump you get a chimp..........