squeeeb

i do not understand politics or government, so i don't get involved with politics, i don't vote, it all seems so futile. then i think perhaps it's not futile, i try to get involved and i find out that senators and representatives and whoever vote and pass bills when people aren't looking, and against the majority of the people's wishes. (so i go back to it all being futile and just ignoring it and not getting involved)

from what i understand...representatives and congressmen are supposed to listen to the people in thier state and do what the majority wants done. is this correct or am i misunderstanding their role?

it seems to me that the congress and senate and whoever is up there pretty much does what they want, when they want, how they want. when you write to a congressman, you get a letter back saying "thanks for your input, but i know what's best, don't worry your head on these matters, i got it."

the government is supposed to word "for" us, right?

what am i not understanding? how do you change it? (other than trying to vote everyone out of office, which doesn't work, but that's another whole discussion).

am i just saying what everyone knows and that's how it is and i am expecting something that isn't there?

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onward to mayhem!

Shauk

welcome to enlightenment

is there truely a system of government that makes anyone happy?

DaniGirl

I know how you feel, I have a hard time fallowing politics with three kids. I pretty much watch cartoons and take care of kids all day. But everything I do here is mainly about the economy. I would have voted this year but I was stuck in the hospital with a complicated pregnancy. But even if I had the chance I don't know what to think anymore. I don't feel like the people are being listened to. But I don't know much about what is going on anymore. But I understand how you feel.

Xerxys

In order for things to actually "run", they need structure.

Structure is by no means simple. Look at something like a vehicle. Look at how many parts work together just to take you from point a-b. These parts, even before manufacturing them require laws to be established in order for them to work (Physics).

Laws such as these are no different from the same laws that govern. Government is not easy because what we need to "run" is society. Tell me how much time we take on debating philosophy and humanity? Tell me how much time we've said the same things over and over again going round in circles making little to no progress?

Politics. Anything different will NOT work.

squeeeb

ok, but why does it seem like the "government" does whatever it wants regardless of how the "people" feel? is this how it's supposed to happen? if so, why do we bother with the hapless charade (pronounced sha-rod, cause it's cooler that way) of voting on things?

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onward to mayhem!

Xerxys

Well, we bother because ... geez, I dunno, I'll get back to you on one ..

But in general the govt. does not do what it wants. I like to assume that the govt. is a collective head of people doing what is in the countries best interests. I like to believe that they made decisions based on sound analyses and hours upon hours of contemplation on what to do next. To achieve a goal that will not serve in the short term (Cause thats always a bad aidea IMHO) but in the long term.

If we didn't vote the man with the biggest balls (literally) would be in power. (seeing as I haven't had sex in a while perhaps that should be the case, I could be Ruler of the Universe (TM)).

Willravel

Yes and no. Representative democracy means that our ability to rule is in choosing who rules. We are to choose the best and brightest, the most ethical and such, someone that represents our political beliefs and values. after we've chosen this person, it's out of our hands. Sure, we can apply pressure, we can vote for someone else the next time around, and we can impeach if there's criminal behavior, but otherwise it's kinda up to them. They don't have to listen to us, but generally it's a good idea for them to do so.
If your congressperson or senator is doing something you disagree with, vote against him or her. If you can't find someone else to support, run yourself.
It's not that simple. The "founding fathers" understood that the voting public is never going to be immune to our most ignorant citizens. We're never going to be immune from group think. We're never going to be a collective group of learned individuals. The theory is that we can elevate the most ethical and capable among us to lead.
Your average politician has an interesting relationship to ethics and truth. Ambitious people are generally self-serving. These people tend to congregate at the top. The only way to fix government is to remove its power, which is the ultimate paradox of government.

Don't expect politicians to be selfless. Don't expect them not to take advantage of you. Remember, as they spin some beautiful seeming words, that what you're hearing was written by people that get paid to make the politicians sound different, sound honest, sound ethical. Senator Barack Obama spoke repeatedly about transparency, about hope, about change, but now that he's in office the things he spoke about have only come into effect when it's benefited him.

It helps to be cynical in politics. Generally the best politicians are those which have the least power and are marginalized by the rest. The rest you should take with a grain of salt.

squeeeb

damn Will, you are good! that was pretty clear, and i understand a whole lot better now. thanks.

---------- Post added at 12:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 PM ----------

i don't care how big your balls are, i'd vote for you

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onward to mayhem!