Are Americans Tired of Politics or of Democracy Itself?

Question

It seems to me that there is a danger people may decide that republican democracy is just not working anymore. Politics today are less partisan than they are nihilistic and fatalistic.

If this goes too far, might people embrace a charismatic sociopath bent on dismantling our constitution?

Answer 1

Was that supposed to be a shot against Ron Paul?

With The Idiot on his way OUT, we're finally excited about politics again! Can't wait to vote someone - ANYONE - else in!!!

By the way, POLITICS are not nihilistic and fatalistic...people can have those outlooks, "politics" cannot.

Answer 2

Well, I'm answering your second question first. Look at our current president's track record and take away the word "charismatic" from your sentence. We didn't elect him, the Electoral College did.

As far as American politics goes, we don't actually have a Democracy. We have what is called a "Representative Democracy", which basically means that we elect certain people to tell the higher-ups what we think. Then they say whatever they want (a good example of this is none other than that same Electoral College.)

We as a country need to do away with indirect representation and go completely digital for our democracy. If everyone could vote and all of the votes were tallied without going through some system that made it all meaningless, we might actually get something done.

Answer 3

Yes perhaps some people are. The election system is undemocratic. A candidate with less votes can win an election. So a vote in one state may be worth more than a vote in another, should all votes not be worth the same? And with politics so rammed down your throats within American and outside media it is easy to be tired of it. Also the world thinks you are idiots fot George Bush getting a second term. Perhaps you are just sick of the world trying to tell you what is best, through our honest, more balanced free media.

Answer 4

Neither. I'm just tired of politicians who do nothing but serve their own self-fulfilled agenda. I think a good number of them start off well-intentioned, but become desensitized over time. And thus, the cycle continues. It's not the system per se, rather the symptoms that manifest to no end by either side. But, it's always been that way and always will be - because you've got flawed people with problems trying to solve problems. An endless mess. But, in spite of all the problems - I'm realistic and I never expect the government to fix anything or perfect anything to an absolute.

Answer 5

I'd say that the average American believes we hire these moron's to represent us, we shouldn't have to get involved any more than to let them know what we want, or what we want improved.
But in a day where people are deceiving us, flat out lying to us from the senate floor and not doing the work of the people. Particularly not listening to the American people and trying to underhandedly pass legislation, Some of us feel the need to grab the torch's and the dogs and head on down to washington.
I think we need to come up with legislation that limits a politicians time in so we don't have to suffer the long term effects of these self-serving, old-fart career politicians.

Answer 6

I'm just tired of politics as usual. I'm tired of the backscratching pork that gets shoved through and paid without us even stopping to question it. I'm tired of the same pat answers given over and over again, promises made and then forgotten, whole machinery of politics.

Where are the Mr. Smiths who come to Washington because they have some kind of idealism? Because they believe in the system and havent been corrupted yet? Perhaps it's living in the shadow of the Beltway that I'm particularly jaded.

I think it's time to clean house. Get rid of the corrupt pols on both sides. Set some term limits to flush some people out who have been rotting in their chairs for the past 40 years. Get some fresh blood, fresh ideas.

Sorry, this has turned into my own rant. I'll post my own question and stop hijacking your post.

Answer 7

America is not and never has been a Democracy, it is and always has been a Republic.

That being said, I believe that we are tired of the politicians and the parties. I also believe that deep down we all know that there really isn't any difference between the two parties and that neither party cares about us in any real way.

The sad part is that the more we become disillusioned with our Government the more we are willing to give them control over us and our lives. We are heading down the same road that Germany went down when they elected Hitler. (and no, that was not a Bush = Hitler comment).

Answer 8

I am sick of politicians who have no political courage.
They are more concerned about the next election than they are about the next generation.
A few weeks ago, when there was Democrat debate in Philadelphia, Gov Ed Rendell of PA, , a Dem himself , was interviewed on the radio. He said he wishes the candidate would debate something new, such as education, energy, drugs, , rather than debating Iraq over and over and over.
For this reason, I find the debates a waste of TV time that could be better used by showing "Simpsons' reruns.

Answer 9

Your assertion is faulty. not strolling lock step with an concept is sturdy for the rustic. allowing human beings to not in basic terms have differing perspectives and suggestions yet to artwork in the direction of those enables greater freedom. You anticipate that a celebration is being risk-free whilst it rather is extremely possible that many human beings somewhat believe that they are doing what's constitutional and what's suitable for the rustic. i'm confident that if somebody broke into your place and tied you up and pronounced that he had planned to kill you and all your loved ones yet is prepared to compromise and in basic terms kill a million/2 the family contributors you does not locate that to be too attractive.

Answer 10

32% of Americans are currently embracing a charasmatic sociopath bent on dismantling our constitution.

To answer your question, yes I'm tired of neocon Republican politics. I will never tire of democracy.