What can we do to ensure that the next president elected fulfills his promises and supports the issues that he says he supported prior to the election?
Should we - the citizens of the US - have a list of issues that a candidate should have to take a stance on prior to being allowed to run for office as an oath to fulfill if elected? If they lie to the people about these issues, should they be forced to leave office once elected? Wouldn't this make elections a bit more about the issues instead of payoffs?
2007-07-12 00:31:34 · 15 answers · asked by Naturescent 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
As to not confuse my statement, if a presidential candidate says that they're prolife and then pushes to get a bill passed that is proabortion, that would then be grounds for removing him from office as he would be supporting the opposite of what he supported prior to the election.
I think that there are laws and rules pertaining to what a candidate says prior to elections in that they cannot lie to people to get the vote - maybe someone has a link to this information?
2007-07-12 01:27:21 · update #1
Please don't confuse promises to change the world with stances on issues - for example:
1) pro life or pro abortion
2) border control or open borders
3) deportation or amnesty for undocumented
4) pro gun or gun control
Now if a candidate took a stance on these issues and then after being elected supported the opposite, that could be a means of determining if the candidate has lied to the public to get the vote.
Everyone says if you elect me I'll do a better job... but if they take a stance on issues that concern the US voter, don't you think there should be accountability?
2007-07-12 01:41:17 · update #2
I think the Internet has become a great memory tool for voters. Most of a candidates words are now recorded for all time on blog's or MSM sites (not that I trust the media!), and when a candidate promises something now, and doesn't hold to it once elected, it's nice to be able to hold his ( or her) feet to the fire about it.
2007-07-12 01:09:31 · answer #1 · answered by Mark A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are several ways to look at this.
First: Yes some candidates make empty promises.
Second: Some times those promises are intended to be kept BUT congress votes them down.
The solution is rather complex. We have to start at the lowest level of government then work our way up to the president. In other words, we must insure that the mayors of our cities, govenors and state reps are all fulfilling thier campaign promises. When that happens, we can then work our way up tp the president. Part of the problem with American politics is that many people don't understnad the importance of voting in the smaller elections. Many Americans vote for the President and that is all. They have fooled themselves into thinking that this is the only position worth voting for. It is those citizens who complain the most when things don't go their way.
By voting in these other elections (which are just as important as the presidential one if not more important) we can at least insure that the people that must work with the president are someone we voted for. Many candidates get voted in on a very small voter turn out, therefore not having much opposition.
We can't force them to keep their promises because as I said, they are often voted down by congress, but we can put people in congress that are actually voted in and not handed the postions due to low voter turn out.
Another way to look at this: When we vote in the smaller elections, in a way we are voting for the people who vote for the people who vote for the president. OR Your voting for the guy that will vote for the rep, who will then use the electoral college votes to vote for the President.
2007-07-12 00:49:21 · answer #2 · answered by msdeville96 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to understand what the constitution allows and does not allow. Then you can better understand when they are full of baloney or not.
Don't let the large donors frighten you. It is the number of votes not the number of dollars that matter. Whom is the more formidable candidate, the one who collects 50 million dollars by getting fifty rich people to donate a million each or the one who collects 25 million that came in one dollar at a time from 25 million voters?
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2007-07-12 00:40:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
But that's the great American tradition! Besides, sometimes politicians make sincere promises but can't deliver because of other branches of government--Congress and the Judiciary. Those two can block the Presidency in many areas where Presidental candidates like to make promises. Think the Clinton health care proposals of the early 90s. They tried, but couldn't get it past Congress.
2007-07-12 00:35:26 · answer #4 · answered by Cathy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A candidate will say ANYTHING to get themselves elected! In fact, that is the ONLY job of a political party. As for a platform, that is chosen AFTER a candidate is nominated. When someone questions an elected official of promises made to the public BEFORE he/she was elected, many times they "forget". It is vital that we as voters NEVER forget or let elected officials abandon the issues they promised to address BEFORE the election!
2007-07-12 00:38:43 · answer #5 · answered by Mary W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's what democracy is all about but first you have to get everybody to vote and then be prepared to swing their vote the other way if the one you first elected doesn't do the right thing.
I doubt you will find any "laws" to keep politicians honest because they make them but that is what your vote is for. The biggest fear politicians have is being kicked out of office along with their party.
2007-07-12 01:43:46 · answer #6 · answered by Ted T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two things:
First, the President doesn't (and shouldn't) have the power to fulfill most of his promises. He must work with Congress to get things done. The intent of the framers of the Constitution was to make Congress the most powerful branch of government, not the President (which was actually supposed to be the weakest).
Second, the vast majority of candidates lie just to get you're vote. They don't acutally intend to fulfill their promises.
The suggestions you make would be unenforceable. Who's to say they aren't working to fulfill they're promises?
2007-07-12 00:38:26 · answer #7 · answered by Ryan M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe to fix the empty promises thing we should bring back the time honored tradition of tarring and feathering. Let them spend about 10 years pulling feathers off their butts as a warning to those who do not deliver the goods. I could name a few who are already up for my vote for the dip.
2007-07-12 01:49:00 · answer #8 · answered by jerofjungle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't cast my vote based only on one single issue. However, the most conservative candidates tend to also be pro-life, so I usually end up voting that way.
2016-05-20 06:50:39 · answer #9 · answered by odell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in my opinion it might be difficult for citizens to have an effective insight as regard to issues that matter apart from general perception also in what order of priority these issues should be tackled except one is an insider or you keep a close watch on goverment adminstration yet despite this citizens can still give it their best shot
2007-07-12 00:40:01 · answer #10 · answered by Jaid 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋