Topic: Democracy
The "Change" Campaign Slogan Real change must start with our system of government, not policy.by R.K. Chase
(libertarian)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Talking about change in U.S. politics is like trying to stop global warming by covering your roof with tin foil. These calls for breaking away from the status quo are part of the status quo - a candidate running for an empty seat in the middle of an unpopular war and in the midst of an economic downturn is going to run on change. Granted some within the GOP insist on staying the course, betting that an appeal to Bill O Reilly's audience is a viable campaign strategy (as it was in Florida.) But enough about John McCain. Policy change is inevitable, regardless of the campaign slogan; the last eight years are proof of the change that occurs even during a 'conservative' Presidency.
The mindless chants for change by the uniformed masses represent a goldmine of votes for any candidate who puts that message on his posters. If true change really were the goal of the electorate, then they wouldn't be looking for it on campaign signs, it has been there for centuries. If voters really wanted change they would vote for either third party candidates or Ron Paul and stop allowing the media choose which corporately funded candidate should become King.
Albert Einstein said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." In following that advice, voters looking for change must break out of the dichotomous paradigm that politicians refuse to address. It isn't about party; it isn't about right or left. It is about democracy being employed in the most efficient manner possible. The partisan bickering is a carefully orchestrated distraction from the real problem at hand - the destruction of Democracy in the United States. Voters belonging to the Libertarian Party, Green Party or Reform Party are completely unrepresented. The single member district system, by default, excludes roughly half the population from political participation. The Electoral College system resulted in the election of a President who lost the popular vote. Voter apathy is becoming a virtue. The system is clearly broken.
If politicians and the news media continue to insist that there is an important difference between Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, then voters must take the burden of change upon themselves - and support not a change of leadership, but a change of government.
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The views expressed in this
article are those of R.K. Chase only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. R.K. Chase is
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employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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