Okay, I was thinking, if America is run "by the people, for the people" then does that mean that since we elect the officials, we control the government? Moreover, does that reflect anything on the people? If America is a country where only 42% of people vote*, then does that mean that we really only have 42% of a country, politically? And does that entitle everyone to complain regardless of voting status? I'm just trying to figure out what it means when a government by the people is either ignored by the people or disliked by them. Sources (for voter turnout): *[url=http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2010G.html] Please don't argue "because that's just what I/we/they do", I want honest opinions, not flames.
I think that it's set up to be run "by the people", why people don't vote is beyond me other than if your stats are including underaged. And explain to me how does that entitle complaining? Also us controling the government is us electing all the people but the president (electoral collage votes) and then we leave the country in their hands after that.
But that seems kind of indirect, we vote for someone who votes for someone who is the president. I know with all the votes there's really no other way to do it, but there's so much "special interest" now, so even if you voted for someone who you THOUGHT was going to support the candidate you wanted to win, they might not. I still think our complaints about the government are somewhat our fault. There's a reason I linked that URL. Go see. Also, I think that in order to be able to whine about the government, you have to have voted (unless you couldn't because you were under 18).
I'm just trying to find out how much our government reflects us as American citizens, since we elect the leaders. And loloynage... if we needed between 51% and 65% to actually finish an election, we'd move slower than we already do.
And loloynage... if we needed between 51% and 65% to actually finish an election, we'd move slower than we already do.
No, what I am saying is that if 65% of the people don't like the president after,i don't know, a year, then he should leave. I'm not saying that parties will need 65% of the population to vote.
That is what America is. A Representative Democracy. We elect those to represent us, though "represent" is loosely-termed. We technically have all the power, since we are the ones that put them into office, but the leaders that we elect gain the governmental powers. If America was a Direct Democracy, every able citizen would vote, in place of the representatives, senators, etc. Considering many American citizens don't vote because they think they do not matter, don't have political experience, and are easily swayed by various mediums, I'm thinking a Representative Democracy is better.
People should vote solely on if they wish to. Encouraging and/or forcing people to vote will only cause unwanted "I don't care" votes. Leaders would not truly be elected if a large portion of the citizens voted on a whim.
Please sit down, the following my strike you as crazy.
Democracy is perhaps the greatest joke in modern history. People simply are not intelligent enough to fully understand that the people in charge are not actually going to let the masses run the country. People can say what they want, however, the people have little to no power in the grander scheme of things. The government, more or less, controls the media. Through ad campaigns and what not. These campaigns bombard the average person, who has the competency of a grade 5 student (common knowledge). Said person is then influenced one way or the other. In truth, the government controls the government. Voting is just something to give people the feeling they're doing something, really it doesn't matter in the end. Democracy is the perfect tyrrany. An endless cycle of politians in power while the people support a system that actually restricts them.
Want to know why younger people don't vote? They're either like me, too smart not to be fooled and tired of the same old crap, but there's not real way to change the system; uninterested in politics; or, they have nothing to relate to, because politians don't try to relate the my my generation.
Wolf1991 You said all the words i couldn't, I will admit I am not the best with words or politics for that matter. But I did notice that some of the presidents I did like and that I saw as way more fit for running the country, (Ron Paul) simply just did not have the publicity to even compete. The media basically gave us two options and that was Obama or Mc Cain. No one knew squat about the other presidents. It's such a shame sometimes. It's hard to find hope in this day and age.
I'm a man of oh so many words. I'd become a politician, however I know people who went in with good intentions and ended up becoming just another political pawn. There's no such thing as "change". Not really. You just become what the system wants you to be. I'd start a rebellion, however, the masses lack vision. Is that cynical? Yes. Do I give a dam? No.
I would be part of a rebellion but it would have to have noble cause. Not just, turn over the goverment and imply controlled anarchy. (the good anarchy lol) maybe more power to the people, idk how to put it. But I do want some kind of change but sadly you are right..
Want to know why younger people don't vote? They're either like me, too smart not to be fooled and tired of the same old crap, but there's not real way to change the system; uninterested in politics; or, they have nothing to relate to, because politians don't try to relate the my my generation
Than aren't you simply just part of the problem? You complain that the good officials don't get in, but then you won't vote for the good officials.
