Let's talk of gerrymandering
"America is not a democracy, it's a republic". I've heard this adage way too often, and it has boggled me at times, admittedly. I mean, what's wrong with direct democracy?
Let's look at this.
Yes, I guess I'm talking of gerrymandering. The elephant in the room, a problem that has been going on for decades and has distorted democracy in America and both sides have indulged in it, but relatively little has been discussed of it. That perverse process that makes only a few states or districts matter, because all the rest have already been decided - hence, the disproportionate importance of those few undecided states. I mean, who would've even known Iowa and its corndogs existed, if it wasn't the first state to vote in the primaries?
Surely democracy must be very important to Americans, their politicians and their leaders? Then what sort of democracy creates safe seats for most of the members and all that is left to do is for the party to choose who will contest the safe seat and that choice is not done democratically?
Just look at these:
Hillary Clinton has the votes of 500 Democratic establishment 'superdelegates' locked up
"Superdelegates are party brass who can cast their vote outside of caucuses and primaries. They were put in place 1982 to ensure the Democrats didn't nominate another dud like George McGovern."
And quite curiously,
Hillary Calls for End to Electoral College
Let's face it. It's not going to happen, especially if she's elected, which means in about 5 years she'll be running for re-election. Wanting to end electoral college would be a suicide for her. The likes of Bernie Sanders would be sure to breathe down her neck if that were to happen.
Speaking of Sanders,
The Best Way for Bernie to Win: An Electoral College Agreement
Weird, huh? I mean... I don't know, to someone who lives in Switzerland, where direct democracy has worked for decades just fine, all of this seems rather bizarre. But not surprising - no way. Of course it's understandable that the political establishment would do anything in their powers to preserve their control of the political process. That's logical and expected. But that's not democracy.
But of course, we already knew America wasn't a democracy, right? It's oligarchy *cough* a republic!
Let's look at this.
Yes, I guess I'm talking of gerrymandering. The elephant in the room, a problem that has been going on for decades and has distorted democracy in America and both sides have indulged in it, but relatively little has been discussed of it. That perverse process that makes only a few states or districts matter, because all the rest have already been decided - hence, the disproportionate importance of those few undecided states. I mean, who would've even known Iowa and its corndogs existed, if it wasn't the first state to vote in the primaries?
Surely democracy must be very important to Americans, their politicians and their leaders? Then what sort of democracy creates safe seats for most of the members and all that is left to do is for the party to choose who will contest the safe seat and that choice is not done democratically?
Just look at these:
Hillary Clinton has the votes of 500 Democratic establishment 'superdelegates' locked up
"Superdelegates are party brass who can cast their vote outside of caucuses and primaries. They were put in place 1982 to ensure the Democrats didn't nominate another dud like George McGovern."
And quite curiously,
Hillary Calls for End to Electoral College
Let's face it. It's not going to happen, especially if she's elected, which means in about 5 years she'll be running for re-election. Wanting to end electoral college would be a suicide for her. The likes of Bernie Sanders would be sure to breathe down her neck if that were to happen.
Speaking of Sanders,
The Best Way for Bernie to Win: An Electoral College Agreement
Weird, huh? I mean... I don't know, to someone who lives in Switzerland, where direct democracy has worked for decades just fine, all of this seems rather bizarre. But not surprising - no way. Of course it's understandable that the political establishment would do anything in their powers to preserve their control of the political process. That's logical and expected. But that's not democracy.
But of course, we already knew America wasn't a democracy, right? It's oligarchy *cough* a republic!