Getting physical
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Training sessions have been going really well these past few weeks. I
swim, lift, and run on my own (or with the masters swim team) during the
week, and o...
12 years ago
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Democracy
I have been thinking about how little our vote counts in today's society. The candidates are usually from the two party system. An outsider does not stand a chance against the real power brokers in this country. The press decides which candidates receive attention. Those who receive the most attention receive the most money. The Democrats include super delegates as part of the process. The super delegate is responsible to no one. They can over ride the popular vote. The courts can over ride the popular vote. Where does the average voter fit in this process? I think he gets lost in the shuffle. How can we export democracy when we no longer practice it? Why should a candidate spend millions of campaign dollars when he doesn't really care what Americans think? The election all comes down to the same thing. The joy and pain the candidates feel after every primary versus the daily issues Americans face. I do not want to hear about the rift betwwen Obama and Rev. Wright anymore. I do not want to hear about Hillary's shame at being caught in a lie. I do not want to hear John McCain praise the war in Iraq. I do not want to watch and listen to how the media exploits those issues. I just want to know that my vote counts for something. I don't think it does anymore. There has to be more to being American than pin lapels, flag salutes and BBQ on July 4th. I think it is too late to make a correction in time for the November election. Maybe next time...
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4 comments:
Amen, Honor! Your post gave me chills. Media coverage of the candidates and the election process pisses me off, too. Half the time journalists and news show hosts are simply re-analyzing their own analysis of some miniscule event, story, word (i.e. "bitter") associated with the candidates. It's ridiculous.
You know what would be nice? Accurate reporting on what the candidates actually stand for, with accurate, contextualized quotes from the candidates to back it up--not decontextualized little soundbites that have been selected for the sole purpose of spinning the "facts" one way or another.
The fourth estate bears a lot of responsibility for what is wrong with the election process. The sound bites cause a lot of confusion and misinformation in all areas of our life. Thanks in part to the media, a violent act appears to be an act of bravery.
C-Span and public tv and radio are pretty reliable sources. However,those sources of information are often ignored or overlooked.
The Democrats better get their act together. Super delegates make primaries seem unnecessary. Simple is better. I enjoyed reading your comments, Katie.
Honor, I used to think that CNN might be a reliable news source--I watch it for about 15 minutes in the mornings while I eat breakfast before heading to the YMCA--but after seeing Britney Spears and other struggling celebrities fairly consistently over the last few months, I think I need to find another news source ... else I vomit up my shredded wheat. :)
Amen, amen and again amen to all comments and commentary. I really feel that this might be the year I don't vote. Hilary says she will obliterate Iran if they attack Israel. I think she will too, just to prove that women can make the tough choices and she is tough. I am beginning to think that Hilary and McCain are cut from the same fabric, but I still have doubts about Obama. I am still looking for that pumper sticker that says "I didn't vote for the winner", of course I didn't vote for the loser either. It is up to all you young people to come up with future candiates who can run this country and maybe come up with a third pary that would stand a chance.
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