Citing a poll is good to make a point, especially during an election year.

[ProSense]

However, citing polls that show 70 percent or more of Americans agree on something doesn't do much for passing legislation.

It would be one thing if the poll swayed the 70 percent of Americans to vote for the same candidates, but it never works that way. One of the reasons is disagreement on what constitutes effective policy, for example, in addressing income inequality:

The authors also note that, though there may be widespread agreement about income inequality, there is no agreement on what caused it or what should be done about it.

It's unlikely that Republicans are going to accept the fact that income inquality cannot be address by giving tax cuts to the rich.

Another example, 75 percent of Americans support the repeal of DADT. The vote in Congress failed. Only three Republicans are needed to pass the bill.

Yet the Log Cabin Republicans, who filed the lawsuit challenging DADT, aren't going to pressure their members of Congress to vote for the bill. They're seeking to reduce the nubmer of Democrats in Congress.

Americans have one day to significantly impact the direction of this country: Election Day. They have the power to shape the legislative branch and empower it to effect the changes they want.

When it comes to passing laws, that vote is cast by their elected Representatives. Americans don't get to cast a vote in Congress. Holding their elected representatives accountable is the only influence they have. While that can be done anytime, elections offer the best opportunity.

Seventy percent of Americans support repealing DADT, but how many are Republican voters who will hold their reps accountable for casting a vote against it?

[Robbie88]

1. K&R Good post.

n/t

[ProSense]

4. Thank you. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

2. thank you! nt

[ProSense]

6. Did you know

that 100 percent of Americans want the government to do something?

:)

[COLGATE4]

3. K&R. A needed breath of sanity in the discussion.

[depakid]

5. What you have are leaders and representatives who are non-responsive to the public interest

Which is the mark of a corrupt and structurally ineffective political system.

[ProSense]

7. How do you explain

Republican voters, for example, Log Cabin Republicans?

Members of Congress don't elect themselves.

[depakid]

8. Not everyone is a single issue voter

I'm sure others in the GLBT community can give you a more detailed and insightful explanation than I can.

[ProSense]

9. What does that mean?

I asked: How do you explain Republican voters based on your statement that politicians aren't responsive because the system is corrupt.

You responded: Not everyone is a single issue voter

What's stopping them from holding Republicans accountable?

[depakid]

10. It means that if you're interested in understanding

there are much more insightful folks on this board who can help you with it.

DSC comes to mind- though there are many other DUer's who would sincerely help with it too.

[ProSense]

11. What does not being a single-issue voter have to do

with not holding elected reps accountable? You made the statement, explain it.

Do you mean that voters, single issue or not, have a reason to not hold their elected reps accountable if they don't deliver?