Are The U.S. Government Elections An Illusion?

"Obama, Romney Toe to Toe" headlined The Wall Street Journal (5/23/12), as the two presidential candidates try to stir the emotions of the U.S. populace. Whether it is the presidential or congressional races, many Americans believe they have a voice in the outcome and that that outcome matters.

But as U.S. politics are now constituted, the public has no voice and the outcome doesn't matter. The news coverage is just the tinkling of keys on a chain as the populace reacts to the noise and to the light reflection. The power in theory lies with the American people but the power in practice lies with those wealthy individual and corporate interests that select the candidates, pay for the elections and determine the policies.

Huge corporate bailouts? Absolutely. Banks "too big to fail" and guaranteed by taxpayers? Sure. Spending on weapons and wars? Of course. There isn't even a serious dialogue about Iraq, Afghanistan or the U.S.'s other undeclared wars as funds are immediately appropriated. And "defense spending" is conducted in virtually every congressional district in the nation.

A "War on Drugs" that is a complete and hugely costly failure? Of course we will continue it. Fighting this war is now a giant industry in itself, providing tens of thousands of jobs and making campaign contributions.

Tax breaks for the rich? Absolutely. Unlimited spending on elections? Sure. And through "Super Pacs," the big spenders need not even be identified. Off-shoring of money and jobs? Sure. That is what many "job creators" do to enrich their profits and avoid paying taxes on them.

Shortly after taking office, President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize based upon his impassioned pleas for peace. But in the end, he can't even close Guantanamo, something he used to call "a no brainer," as the war machine escalates under his presidency, just as it did under his predecessors.

None of this should surprise you. It's obvious. But there is hope, for none of this would surprise the founders of the nation. A primary reason for the Bill of Rights is they distrusted government power, and a primary reason for the vast public school system is Thomas Jefferson's belief that through education and being informed, the public would protect its democracy.

We as Americans can reclaim our democracy by getting involved and by ending anything but public funding of our elections. And we can encourage the development of strong 3rd and 4th political parties so the Republicans and Democrats no longer have a monopoly or the ability to gerrymander congressional districts. These actions would bring power to the people and potentially a democracy greater than the founders envisioned.

Dick
"Obama, Romney Toe to Toe," The Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304019404577420533288868306.html