I know most of my blog entries have something to do with politics. I promise to write more about non-political topics in the future. But as an individual, there are only a few things a private citizen can do to try to change things they see as wrong.
One is to vote for the candidate of your choice after listening to what they say and what they have done in the past. Some are great talkers but their past and current actions do not reflect what they are actually doing. Another way we can change things is to worn others and inform them of what is going on in the world that will have great consequences for them in the future. People have busy lives and many do not have that much spare time to really investigate the positions of those running for office, so it is up to us who do have the time to tell our friends. This is the main purpose I do this blog. I want to inform my friends.
John Adams said that if the government ever got into a situation where there were parties or groups who divided themselves from others based solely on narrow points of view and voted and worked as a block, that our form of government would be doomed. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first who felt and worked for what we now know as political parities. He and some southern politicians felt that they must work together to protect policies they felt critical to their views. Most of the first party members were connected together because of what they saw as the need to continue slavery.
Most northern politicians were apposed to slavery but others felt it was mandatory to maintain the way of life they enjoyed. This was not the only issue, but it was by far the one major issue that brought our nation to the point of being divided into political parties. I think political parties are one of the main problems with our representative government.
If I were all powerful and could with a swish of my magic wand, I would do away with political parties. Wouldn’t it be nice to investigate candidates for office without the R or D or I after their names? As it is now we end up with only candidates, one Republican against one Democrat. Why not just the two best people?
As it is now the candidate supported by their party are the only choices we have. The last presidential election is a prime example. Were these two guys really the best candidates in all the land to lead our government or were they the ones who had the party machine behind them? When ever there is an issue now days even if a representative feels a certain way they only vote in most cases as other members of their party vote and not as the people back home would want them to vote. They are not loyal to those who put them in office. They are loyal to their party, the hell with what we the citizens want.
I think it is time for another constitutional amendment to change the time in office for all politicians and to remove any reference to those in office by party. In other words make all elected offices non-partisan. Fat chance this will happen as those in office would have to get the movement started and they enjoy the gravy train as it is now and would not willingly change the status quo.
Please my friends, click on the Follow button on this blog and let others know you are one of the many who are reading this blog. I get private email but few are formally following or posting opinions at the bottom of each post.
John Adams said that if the government ever got into a situation where there were parties or groups who divided themselves from others based solely on narrow points of view and voted and worked as a block, that our form of government would be doomed. Thomas Jefferson was one of the first who felt and worked for what we now know as political parities. He and some southern politicians felt that they must work together to protect policies they felt critical to their views. Most of the first party members were connected together because of what they saw as the need to continue slavery.
Most northern politicians were apposed to slavery but others felt it was mandatory to maintain the way of life they enjoyed. This was not the only issue, but it was by far the one major issue that brought our nation to the point of being divided into political parties. I think political parties are one of the main problems with our representative government.
If I were all powerful and could with a swish of my magic wand, I would do away with political parties. Wouldn’t it be nice to investigate candidates for office without the R or D or I after their names? As it is now we end up with only candidates, one Republican against one Democrat. Why not just the two best people?
As it is now the candidate supported by their party are the only choices we have. The last presidential election is a prime example. Were these two guys really the best candidates in all the land to lead our government or were they the ones who had the party machine behind them? When ever there is an issue now days even if a representative feels a certain way they only vote in most cases as other members of their party vote and not as the people back home would want them to vote. They are not loyal to those who put them in office. They are loyal to their party, the hell with what we the citizens want.
I think it is time for another constitutional amendment to change the time in office for all politicians and to remove any reference to those in office by party. In other words make all elected offices non-partisan. Fat chance this will happen as those in office would have to get the movement started and they enjoy the gravy train as it is now and would not willingly change the status quo.
Please my friends, click on the Follow button on this blog and let others know you are one of the many who are reading this blog. I get private email but few are formally following or posting opinions at the bottom of each post.
Interesting ideas, Larry. However, I think the general public, especially in the US, is too lazy to investigate and/or research the candidates on their own and form an actual opinion. I think the public prefers to be presented with just two options and having to pick from them. Having only two options also makes it easier to manipulate the public and polarize it. If a majority of Americans really wanted to research their options and formulate a sound opinion, then they would request that the current system would be modified or changed. Unfortantely, most people are just too lazy to want to do the legwork and would just prefer someone else to do the work and force feed them a choice. I'm truly saddened by this lack of effort on the public's part and the politicians' willingness to take advantage of this fact. The thing that bothers me the most are people who don't vote and then complain about the current policies and/or administration. My opinion is if you don't vote, don't complain.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for being an active member of the public and trying to educate and encourage people to think for themselves. Always a pleasure reading your blog, Larry. Please keep up the good work!