Every few years, Americans line up and vote for the next President. Every President says what they are going to do and still it never gets done. This is also true with other politicians that are voted in-empty promises and things never change or get better for the masses.\n\nSo why do Americans still think that politicans can make a change for the better of society when it has been proven for the last 200 yrs that they cant.
216023
I don't think that they (we) expect the politician to change things.  What I think is, we have become accustomed to a system that was created by our forefathers and we keep it up by rote, just because we’ve always done it.  \n\nThe thing most people don’t recognize, the president is just a figure head.  He’s really nothing.  The president can do very little without the help of the Congress.  Those are the ones who really matter, far more than a president.  And as for the people from our states, we need to pay attention to what they are doing.  Are they supporting causes we believe in?  They vote on issues and pass laws all the time and we can see how they voted on things.  How many people actually take the time to check up on their representatives?  With the Internet, it’s easy to do.  \n\nIf people aren’t doing what we want, then we need to NOT vote for them next time.  Just like on my job.  I was hired to do certain things.  If I get hired and don’t do those things, I’d be out of a job.  Politicians should be treated the same way. \n\nJust to name a few, Patrick Lahey, Edward Kennedy, Joseph Biden, Maxine Waters, Barbra Mikulski, Orrin Hatch, George Allen have been in office for a long long time and they keep getting re elected.  There are many others too.  Are they getting re elected because they are doing such a good job and are doing what the people want?  Or are they getting re elected because the people are too lazy to really get involved too look deep into the system to really get a feel for what’s going on up on Capitol Hill?  \n\nIt’s like your heading.  The American people are just plain stupid.  Until they wake up, then the world is going to keep getting worse and really, it’s not as much the politicians to blame.  It’s us, WE the people.
269905
You give American voters too much confidence, first of all.\nSecond, whoever does run will most certainly have enough sound bites on either side of the issue.\nThe reality is that we as Americans should be just as upset about inaction as we are about the actions of our political "leaders".
135632
I think the government could be useful if people like us would just stand up and start doing something.  America needs to start by cutting out this two-party bullshit.  There are only two major parties that get funded by people who get personal favors.  Then, basically we as Americans have few choices when it comes to our leaders.  There just needs to be a shift in national political theory...
84894
I agree.  The probablem is that you're asking people to think.  It's too hard for the majority of Americans.  It's much easier to look up what the Republican or Democratic party says about each issue and vote for that.  I've only voted in one election (being 19 years old), and it was just a state election on several bills, but I know I voted for things that were proposed by people I very much disliked because I thought they would do good regardless of the intentions of the people who wrote them.  Even though I consider myself a Democrat (and a liberal one, at that) I'd gladly vote for a Republican if I thought he'd do a better job than the other candidates.\n\nThe thing that really gets to me here on Answers, though, is "liberal bashing."  People take the polarization of the poltical arena to the extreme.  When people vote along party lines that's one thing, but when they take that out of the voting booth and make their day-to-day life a war against the opposing political party it threatens to destroy the very foundations of our democracy.  When elections are determined by a desire to vote against the liberals or against the conservatives rather than genuine consideration of the issues, we risk making some really bad choices.  It sounds too much like the backdrop for a red state, blue state civil war.
99746
This is all part of extending the power of the parties to gain and keep a majority so they can govern. No matter how much we as concerned Americans claim we want politicians to work together and behave civilized, by our actions we give them a radically different message that they ignore at their peril.\n\nWe as Americans tend to respond favorably towards a party that is willing to be even nastier and more childish than the election before. All opinion polls and focus groups on advertising style show overwhelmingly that negative ads are more memorable and more effective. The average person will not be bothered to get out and vote for a nice guy, but they'll jump hurdles to vote against someone described by a commercial as a real jerk.\n\nAlso, let's remember that we as Americans don't really like anything in moderation, so we certainly don't have any respect for moderate politicians. "The only thing in the middle of the road is a yellow line and a dead armadillo." We like to think that we are right; not just right, but that people who disagree are at the best complete idiots, if not outright traitors.\n\nAlso, only about 50% of the people will vote in a Presidential election; at best, 35% in a midterm election; maybe 15% in an off-year election where there are all sorts of local and state mandates up for grabs. This means that only the most radical and opinionated people are actually going to take responsibility for determining what sort of government we will have. You can't succeed by pandering to people who don't care, just like you can't succeed advertising to demographics that won't buy your product (The Ed Sullivan Show banned Elvis from appearing not because the producers thought he was immoral, but because teenagers don't buy new Oldsmobiles!).\n\nThis goes much farther than just who will run the government. This determines whose friends will get jobs in the government, whose supporters will get government contracts, and which Congressmen will become influential and be able to retire into a very lucrative lobbying career.
574587
Because most people try to think in terms of right or wrong. The ability to think of what is popular or in the best political interest does not come to mind. There is also the fact that we are never told the really important parts because it considered"not in the national interest" for us to Know. One last thing. Most Americans don't have enough money to be considered for the presidency.
478577
You mean like Democrats and Republicans? They both take an oath of office that says they are to represent ALL the people. That they will do what is best for the WHOLE country. And yet it seems they are only interested in representing the people who voted for them. And even them no more then they think it will take to keep them voting for them.
440836
You would think so, wouldn't you?\n In today's world, it is next to impossible for most officials to fulfill the promises they made during the campaign.\nOh, sure, most intend to do everything they can to achieve those promises.  Unfortunately, that is not how it works in the real world.\nPractically nothing gets passed into law the way it was intended because so many compromises have to be made just to get it through the house.\nSo, even if the elected official goes to Washington or the State Capitol with visions of making huge changes, well it just isn't going to happen.  They soon learn that they have to become something  besides the wide-eyed eager beaver they thought was going to change the world.\n  So, no matter how upright and honorable they might be at the beginning, it becomes very obvious they have to resort to dirty tricks and sneaky ways just to conform.  \nAnybody that doesn't conform just doesn't get anything done.
108596
In my opinion, the majority of Americans are lazy when it comes to political issues. Start with the fact that only about 65% of registered voters ever actually vote. This doesn't include the people that don't even bother to register. \n\nI believe that a majority of people form their opinions based on sound bites on the news or other peoples opinions. Since the mainstream media is undeniably liberal, a lot of people end up with liberal views without actually learning much in the way of facts for themselves.\n\nAs a result of this, you have a lot of sheep following and believing what those who control the media want them to. It's unfortunate.
638908
let's face it. american democracy is not freedom for all and is not rule of the people, but rather rule of the press. there is also a very low probability of becoming a president or a senator without a lot of money and people backing you up (in which case you have to pay those people or act the way they want you to get them to follow - which means not expressing yourself and not being free). voting is so directed by press that it's not even funny. and i mean, we all think that war in iraq is to bring democracy, but it actually is to get oil or some other reason we dont even know about. seriously, what government has ever in history gone to war to help people of another country? no government. what government has gone to war saying they are going to help other people but go for a different reason? many governments and many times. it's an old trick and many americans are going for it. furthermore, ok, we live in a country that isnt quite democratic as by principles, but we like it. ok. we can live like it, even though it is not the rule of the people. but why do some people think that this government is what the iraqi's want, if it is not the rule of the people??? there is so much propaganda here in USA that it is incredible. george bush and the republicans are not at all stupid like many people try to poke fun at them. however, they try to get profit for themselves rather than for the nation, for face it, their election campaigns cost way more than what their salaries pay off.\n\nps. as for colonial mode, us has been in colonial mode ever since its beginnings, including hawaii, costa rica, and panama canal. during the cold war, spheres of interests. and now, this.
100826
I don't think we get more opinions in such a situation, on the contrary even with an administration that welcomes debate, not the case today, input from different minded people stimulates more thought. \n(Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's new book "A Team of Rivals" details Lincoln's success at bringing opposing ideas to the table. It's a great read)\n\nCertainly our experience in the last five years should make us ponder this.  Until a month ago this Congress was so reluctant to voice any disagreement, which seems to stem from fear, intimidation and bribery.   "Don't vote with us and we'll fund and support primary opponents" does not encourage a free exchange of ideas.  Bills are held forever for arm twisting. Votes change. The next appropriations bill has bridges to nowhere, and outrageous spending for community centers. This happened in the past, but never in my lifetime to such an extent.  The national debt and the instances of "earmarks", formerly "pork",  are outrageous.\n\n"Quicker" means more deceit. \nThis week a Republican representative on C-SPAN was telling about voluminous bills being placed on desks in the middle of the night to be voted on the next day with absolutely no time for review. \n\nWe went to war far to 'quick' for me.\n\nI think we should at least elect a Congress in 2006 that will constrain the President's outrageous spending, and quick actions.  That means a Democrat majority.
274627
Believe it or not, we reach more Americans this way, especially the thinking ones.\n\nThe internet is the new communication media of choice for thinking people. TV is on the way out. Too many commercials. No reality.\n\nI as one voting person will reach millions of voters with this note. One person in that crowd of criminals will reach noone that matters or can or cares to vote.\n\nThis is my anti-protest, and it has far more impact than you can ever imagine.
250605
Yes, that is how it is. They are basically telling American citizens to blank themselves. They represent big business and not the American people. It's been that way for years though, maybe now American citizens will get a wake up call and start voting 3rd party in massive numbers instead of being stuck in the box of voting either one party or the other.
568304
this is mostly an answer from another question but very relevent here:\n\nit's not so much people opposed to people as it is politics vs. politics. thruthfully, there is a way to end this bullshit entirely...abolish all political parties and set term limits. let a person who is willing to take no salary hold office in the goverment...and most of all, take religon out of the goverment.\n\nit's a game meant to make u ask why "the other side disagrees and defend your own political views" that have been "indoctrinated into you" from the very people that you elect. we don't have the choice in this country to put a real honest concerned person in the white house. what we do have is a "filtered canidate from both partys" that will keep the status quo humming. think about this: if we all agreed there would be no need for this "form of goverment" and certainly no reason for Profit Politicians that us americans have been deluded into perceiving as "leaders". neither side has produced a REAL LEADER in decades and i mean decades...\n\nwe need to do away with politicians for hire, lobbyist's, and professional politicians. then we MAY have a chance to communicate with one another as equals\n\nif there's a war, it's internal and we're in and it's with the Party Politics and Politicians. problem is we're just the foot soldiers gunning for the other side...everyone of us!\n\nIn realting this to the World and Peoples of the World, it still boils down to inbred fighting that sidetracks us from the real issues, some of those listed here, but many more.\n\nthe deal is we could solve the majority of the worlds problems if we would shed the "failure to deliver" forms of government that we let control us into scurmish with eact other while the leaders pick our pockets.\n\nnow trun around and shoot your neighbor if he is not the same as you... keep being part of the problem   [i kid all mankind]
424439
I think in reality, people vote on past history. In other words, they will vote for the incumbent if life seems rosy while he or she is in office. In times like today when people are generally unhappy with the state of affairs, they vote for the non-incumbent to create change.\nThis voting habit always sends messages to the congress. It's a shape up or ship out message. Politicians are people and come with all the frailties of humankind. We are not voting for the politician nor the person. We are voting either for change or to keep things as they are.
424168
I agree but I doubt that many of out countries leaders would today. Indeed, there seems to be many who actively seek to disenfranchise those who disagree by stating that people who disagree with a politician aid the enemy by their dissent. It seems abhorrent to believe I have to follow the illogical statements of such leaders today or be considered anti-American and serves to drive a wedge in society if you are not the right religion, the right color, have the right beliefs, or have to support a cause you disagree with. I think Thomas Jefferson was right, and is perhaps still right, but you will be disenfranchised and risk being accused of being anti-American today if you do not choose blindly to follow.
307249
I believe most politicians have nothing but the desire to the power. They will smile and tell you what you want to hear and in many instances do something totally against their beliefs just to keep their power. And they actually have some people believing that they CARE.\nI find it hard to believe that the vast majority of the politicians would do much if anything to jeporadize their position in government.\nTo be honest, over the years of following politics to a certain degree, I think most would sell out there own mother rather than lose the power. When they start talking about they want to do what's best for this country or for the children I have to laugh. They are doing simply what is best for THEMSELVES and nothing more. If they thought voting a certain way might help the people of this country but a chance of voting that way might make them lose their position,I don't think they would have to hesitate too long on how to vote. NOT ALL politicians, but a pretty big percent I would say fall in this category. Too bad, isn't it!