I was commenting to a friend the other day that the American "experiment" has failed. At least from the perspective of the structure of government and governance. With the current system which seems to be purely two-party true representative government (even ignoring the idiocy of the electoral college system which noone can justify) is just a myth.
Every four years close to 50% of the populace is disenfranchised. Their votes (and voice) largely ignored by the winner. Even this had been a parliamentary democracy the press would be speaking about how the loyal opposition (the Democrats) had a huge voice in Parliament and how they could not be ignored when it came to managing the government.
Sadly under the current system division is fostered, even nurtured. I can hardly imagine the founding fathers would have forseen this. Back then neither Democratic nor Republican parties existed and we had a real multi-party system. I also find it unfortunate that the choice is between becoming one between non-sectarian (Democrat) and theocratic (Republican).
I have many Republican friends (and could even see voting Republican myself if Bush wasn't the candidate) who undoubtedly don't agree that their party is being controlled by the religous right. But after seeing the exit polls and hearing the Bush speak does anyone doubt that the evangelical church now holds a huge sway over Republican policy iniatives?
I suppose we'll have to see what the next year brings in the way of legislation but I'm not too sanguine that it will be balanced enough to serve the American people as a whole.
Posted by artandscience at November 8, 2004 05:30 PM | TrackBack