The United States of America is a federal republic with a constitutional government which is a representative democracy. We have the U.S. Constitution (which is the supreme law of the land) and 50 state constitutions.
Ideally, our nation’s governing bodies put into practice the wishes and beliefs of the people they represent (this includes minorities).
Because we, the people, and our elected legislators are so polarized (partially artificially created by media and self-serving agendas – imho), there has ensued a tug-of-war and the commonality that should be our middle ground for compromise has been thrown out the window.
This dangerous situation will continue until enough of us realize that we (as individuals) are responsible and stand up and say enough is enough and hold our legislators (on both sides) accountable for fighting like children instead of properly taking care of the business of running our government.
It is shameful that our elected officials put the interests of their party affiliation above their responsibility to the people that they were elected to represent (the people that voted for them and also those that didn’t vote for them, but whom they are obligated to represent nonetheless). In my state of Illinois, one party’s win was more important and they backed someone who they knew was unethical and ultimately harmed all of us. The other party backed the known ethical candidate only marginally as they knew she wouldn’t support their ‘good old boy’ unethical dealings - this in spite of the fact that the people of their party had spoken by choosing her with their votes.
In my opinion, to really change the gridlock that our existing elected officials of both parties are perpetuating:
Vote in fresh people; don’t vote for incumbents or those with heavy existing ties to the political machine. Voting for same old, same old; gets same old, same old.
Push for term limits. Make it so that our elected officials cannot make a ‘life time career’ out of representing us. This will deter things like voting themselves pay raises while under funding programs needed for the quality of life of their constituents.
These are MY opinions. What do YOU think?
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