Do you know why we have elections? Really have elections?

[MichiganVote]

We have elections in this country to truly show us how absolutely out of frickin' touch the politicians of this country are.
We need to have these elections because we lose sight of that. Every last man and woman in this country loses sight of how thoroughly these political elites have no idea how you and I live.

None. Nada.

We live and breathe on a planet that is in trouble. Daily. Yet here they all are blathering about who is a working woman and who is not, whose secretary has paid the most taxes over and above their employers, and who will court the latest NRA conference--AFTER--its clear that the most notorious case in the country concerns a shooting of an unarmed 17 year old.

Really.

Let's not kid ourselves. We ARE on our own. Sure go ahead and vote and donate or whatever. But be realistic. Political races are about as merit worthy as going to church on Christmas and Easter and sleeping in bed the rest of the year. Its a pretty sure bet that if there is a Heaven the guy who devotes himself to church everyday is more likely to have the best seat. Now let me tell you something real--you will never have the best seat in the house of the US of rich people and politicians.

We ARE on our own. So what are we going to do about it. The question is not, who is the best person for the job, the question is what are we going to do in spite of the best OR the worst person IN the job. Today. Right now.

How are we really going to survive these people?

[NYC_SKP]

1. We have elections to give citizens the IMPRESSION that they have some power.

``

Partly but more than 50% series.



~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

[my2sense]

2. +1

[MichiganVote]

5. The electorate has power. They don't use it. Millionaires and Billionaires

don't waste their time and money on plebeians and their votes. They are as deluded as the rest of us.

[sabrina 1]

8. Why are you talking about these things right now? We have an election coming up!

And that is why we never get anywhere. The insane policies pushed by Political Operatives that during election season we should remain silent about issues! And like sheep, each team does what it's told in order to 'win'. But win what? What is the prize?

And then, like clockwork, following each election, after like good little sheep instead of USING the election to pressure politicians, we follow the orders to be quiet until after the election, then we start hearing the excuses.

And then, the cycle repeats itself. Before we know it, 'there's an election coming up' so be quiet, then wait! For the excuses, all over again.

Good post.

[MichiganVote]

10. Yes. We focus on their batshit crazy shit. Those who will survive..

will focus on what is needed, not what they want us to need.

The political world in the US is akin to the relationship of domestic violence. "I promise", "I will", "I won't",

What do we need to survive them?

[sabrina 1]

12. I agree with this statement:

The political world in the US is akin to the relationship of domestic violence.

You can see it right here on DU. People who insist on discussing issues, being stalked and badgered and alerted on.

What can we do about it? Maybe start by ignoring Political Operatives who demand we remain silent for one thing. There is no amnesty period for Civil Rights, or for War Crimes, or Wall Street Corruption or on bad policies that will adversely affect the public.

And maybe supporting strongly those who insist on not taking a break from discussing those issues, and losing the fear that discussing issues will lose an election and understand that the ONLY leverage the people have are their votes, and that Election season is precisely when they need to be shouting the loudest.

And maybe, joining the Occupy Wall Street movement which has had more influence on the political discourse than all the ridiculous political pundits put together.

[MichiganVote]

13. We need to stop denying the truth to ourselves and the collective "Them"

[Tanelorn]

3. But how would you explain career politicians?

Surely if the electorate is more responsive and alert there would be greater turnover.

At the moment we are grieving(apparently not many of us) the tossing out ignominiously of the relatively, progressive Labour Party in Queensland recently.

Apart from the usual gripes and the fact that they had been in government for sometime, the biggest complaint is that the party had stopped listening.

Surely governments are there to govern. I am sure that they do listen but also weigh up the alternatives for what they see as the greater good albeit through the filter of their ideologies.

[MichiganVote]

7. There are as many citizens high on delusion as there are "career" politicians.

A party does not make a country or a people. Anymore than a union makes a job. People count and people matter.

Buts its a scary proposition to acknowledge, we ARE in this on our own. Together or separate. We can be one or we can be separate.

They, the politicians, the wealthy, they are not our friends.

[annabanana]

4. From Michigan, I'm guessing...

On Tuesdays everything else is closed? Getting out to vote keeps people from going stir crazy?

Since that draconian "the governor can throw out any local elected body and put in a dictator" law passed there really is NO real reason to go vote.

[MichiganVote]

6. Here in Michigan--your state will be next.

[Lizzie Poppet]

9. To make us think our wishes still matter.

They don't of course, but if enough people can be conned into believing otherwise we stay fat, stupid, and complacent.

Great OP, by the way...

[MichiganVote]

11. Thanks. And no, they don't know what they don't know.

But we know.

Start thinking. Start changing. What do we need to survive them?

Its the only thought process left. Use it.