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.
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.
Oh, okay. That's a good idea.
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.
Well, I agree that it would be hectic, but seriously, less than half the people are choosing the representatives, that's still only 41% of what the people want going into the elections. Maybe that's why my/our country is in a rut right now.
Honestly, who cares if the voting rate is low. I'd rather have people who care doing the voting. I don't want apoliticals, criminals, and people who just don't understand politics to be voting for the representatives. If someone doesn't care enough to vote, wouldn't you want them to stay out of the elections?
Representative democracy exists where people have the right to elect representatives. How many people actually bother to do this is neither here nor there. And indeed, I would say the input of the great (apathetic) unwashed is likely to be at the detriment of America's political health, not the benefit.
