Our Failed Government Is A Reflection Of A Failed America! We Did It!

[DistressedAmerican]

We did it to ourselves...

Most of America has forgotten a most important truth. America has a government "of the people, by the people and for the people." That means that it is up to the people to make sure our government does not fail us. The vacuum of leadership we see in Washington is the direct result of the leaders we have chosen and sadly keep choosing over and over again.

As a nation, we have several very difficult issues to resolve. I think that is reflected in the fact that half of the country does not even bother to vote. It is clearly reflected in the massive failure of all branches of the federal government to respond to those dying by the thousands in NOLA.

First, we do not select leaders based on much of anything beyond "name recognition". Most Americans can not tell you how the person they voted for actually voted on much of anything. For example, I meet dems all the time that tell me that the dems overwhelmingly voted against the Iraq War Resolution!

They go out and vote these folks back in because they believe (in the absence of looking into the matter) that the democratic leadership has been standing up to the repugs. Everyone that does, condemns us to more years of the same inaction.

Second, rather than judging candidates based on their personal policy beliefs, we vote for which ever name on the ballot is from "our" party. Little or no critical thinking is expended. We just pick from Tweedle Dee And Tweedle Dum based on their respective party affiliations. We do not demand good candidates, we just pick whichever loser the party runs.

Third, once we elect these politicians, we do not hold them accountable for their failures. Incumbents in Congress are all but assured re-election regardless of how hard they screwed us last term. Most Americans bitch about the fact that our politicians are corrupt liars. But, when we catch one lying like a dog, we excuse it by saying , "Hey, All politicians lie."

In short, the American government has failed America because the American people have failed themselves.

NOTE: Do not flip out and start flaming me out with comments about how YOU are not responsible.

I know that many DUers are hardcore activist types or at least politically aware. My hat is off to all of you that are working. These comments are a more general indictment of the collective whole that comprises "We the people".

[Child_Of_Isis]

1. It wasn't that half didn't vote.

It was that their votes weren't counted.

[DistressedAmerican]

2. Many Votes Were Not Counted. Tens Of Millions More Were Not Cast At All.

[unhappycamper]

4. And don't forget the votes that were 'flipped.'

See the 2004 Election Results and Discussion forum for more than you ever wanted to know:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=203

[PuraVidaDreamin]

3. I'm Flaming! I'm BURNING MAD. Too much TV, Lack of good Education...

Not sure how we will cure this ill.
However those of us who have displaced storm citizens
newly located near us can start shaping the young minds
of this tragedy

I'm going to volunteer out at Otis, where 2500 evacuees will
any moment be arriving.

If they need a nurse, I'll be there, but I want to take
the young kids mountain biking. Make them aware of
the possibilities. Encourage them to ask questions.

Maybe I can get folks to start donating used bikes
or unused bikes from the garages of the tv couch
potatoes

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. We need to majorly overhaul the education system and make it

publicly paid for, cradle to grave. Same with healthcare.

And we can do it without feeling a pinch on our wallets. Just cut the freaking pork out of the DoD budget.

------------------------------------------------------
Save the Gulf:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[DistressedAmerican]

7. Good For You. You Are One Of Those We Do Not Need To Worry About!

I have been talking to Swamp Rat about moving in up here with us for a while. I hope he does!

We have a lot of work to clean this mess up. And even more to clean out our self-centered political leaders!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

16. excellent-

would he be able to finish PhD there?

[DistressedAmerican]

17. If He Wants To. My School Has Adopted An Open Admission Policy For

any student coming from NOLA. In state tuition rates as well.

Note: They made these changes last Tuesday while Bush was still playing guitar. I guess the federal response was a bit slow after all!

[Imagevision]

18. I voted for Bush I certainly expected him to take care of us

but this wasn't the case as the whole world can clearly see! and I'm pissed!

[malta blue]

21. Kudos DA

so glad to hear you are opening your home up to Swamp Rat and giving him the opportunity to have a place to stay and finish his work. My hat is off to you.

[DistressedAmerican]

22. It Is Still An Open Offer. Hope He Accepts!

If we could all just take in one! Lord knows we can't count on the gub-ment!

[malta blue]

24. I feel the same way.

My house is so tiny, bit I am willing to take in a child or something to help.

[Clark2008]

23. Where's Swamp Rat staying now?

I hope his family is OK.

[emulatorloo]

6. Good -- I am glad to hear that Bush is off the hook!

Not his fault again. . . .

[DistressedAmerican]

8. THEY ARE ALL TO BE HELD ACCOUNTBLE!

Where did I excuse ANYONE. Take a look at the graphic below the post. Take a look at my website. Then tell me that I am excusing bush's massive failure as a leader! Get a grip!

Holding ours accountable for their failures does not mean we have to keep rewarding those in our party for their incompetence as well. In fact, if we started holding Dems accountable when they fail, our demands they they hold Bush accountable would have a lot more traction!

Bush and Congress BOTH failed here.

If you do not see that, you have places party loyalty over life. Sad.

[emulatorloo]

20. Blame Clinton, Blame the Democrats, Blame America, etc

I enjoy your artwork and your rhetorical point, but I am not in the mood to blame America right now.

let me recommendt this thread instead of yours:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2067345

[Leeny]

9. Partly true

True, some people don't pay attention, don't care, and don't vote and that frustrates me to no end.

However, I consider the 2000 and 2004 elections NOT elections of the people. They were stolen outright and the blame for the current buffoon in office cannot be entirely laid at the feet of the apathetic. They get some credit too, but let's remember that our "President" did not win either election.

We need to do two things. Get people involved (should be easier now that people have witnessed the mind-boggling incompetence of our administration in dealing with the aftermath of Katrina). And restore credibility to the voting process. Get rid of Diebold, for one!
:bounce:

[DistressedAmerican]

11. Both Crucial Steps. Definiely. I Would add this though.

If we restore those two things and never start holding the leadership of this country accountable for their repeated failures, things will never change. W will get more of the same. Just larger turnouts.

We very much need fundamental change.

We need to clean house. Bring in some people that stand for something other than just re-election.

[txaslftist]

10. Isn't this why we have political parties?

I mean, aren't the Democratic Party and the Republican Party apparatchiks responsible for screening the candidates during the nomination process.

Forgive me for being pretty busy, but I don't have time to screen my alderman, city councilman, treasurer, congressman, senator, state senator, comptroller, state house representative and every local judge's voting record, list of decisions and biography.

If someone gets the Democratic Party's nod, I'm generally okay with that, because the Democratic Party stands in for me as a candidate screener. If I don't know anything bad about a Democratic candidate, that person will likely get my vote.

[DistressedAmerican]

12. How Well Has That Been Working Out For Ya?

How well is that workig out for America?

[Barack_America]

13. Agreed! Voting for the right party is not enough!

We still need to be aware of their agenda and interject when we don't agree. And by that I mean that we have to contact our representatives, not just bitch about things here.

[Beam Me Up]

14. NO!!! The public perception of reality has been MANIPULATED by Corporate

Owned Media.

Bush was placed in office not by WE THE PEOPLE but by a right-wing junta. And he has been kept there while the American people have been fed LIES LIES LIES about EVERYTHING. Selection 2000, 9/11, anthrax, War on Terrorism, Selection 2002, Iraq war, yellow cake, Plame outing, selection 2004... it was all BUSHIT and still is!

edit: added a few to the list.

[DistressedAmerican]

15. 59 Million Bush Voters Disagree With You.

If America is being fed lies that you and I see for lies, is it not a failing on their part believing the lies? The facts are available to anyone that is intellectually curious enough to go find them.

Being spoon fed lies by the media and not freeing their own minds of it is THEIR failure. Not the right's. In a democracy it is the responsibility of the citizens to be knowledgable.

If people just suck up the misinformation and do not bother to check if it is true, who's fault is that?

[Richard Steele]

19. "The price of FREEDOM is ETERNAL VIGILANCE"

And the average American is not vigilant...
Hell, they are pretty much ASLEEP when it comes to
the important business of keeping an eye on
our "public servants".

We sat quietly while 2 national elections were STOLEN,
and so the "Rule of the PEOPLE" was no more....

We did nothing while the Bill of Rights was illegally abolished,
and we now have KGB-style "law enforcement"....

We were silent while the USA was torn down and the foundations of a Corporate Feudalist Empire were put into place....

So, you are correct. It is OUR fault.
We are not sheep, we are humans.
And we can only be lead to the slaughterhouse when we CHOOSE to follow.

[titoresque]

25. We have a current system by design

one that has banked on the fact that so many will NOT go out and vote. People don't think their votes count...long before Bush took office (first term) In a way it's like telling someone over and over again that they are stupid, the person begins to believe that they are indeed stupid. Then to really drive it in........they steal the first election...and they make it pretty obvious.....and they get away with it! Then the second (S)election......all these electronic voting machines that we are expected to throw our votes away to AGAIN in '06 WTF?!

I have always had contempt for people who do not vote but after these two (S)elections I seriously wonder why smart people are even talking about elections anymore???! I don't get it! THERE WILL BE NO "ELECTIONS" !!!

I wish I were wrong, but I'm not. Unless every sinlge electronic paperless voting machine is thrown out.......unless Diebold is thrown out.....unless we have an honest voting system......FORGET IT!

Our Democratic leaders have sold out and are in hiding, and people still want to believe that "they're waiting for the right moment"

Huh?!

I understand that to accept that there is NO leader to rescue us means for people to be forced to either accept the circumstances that they live in and to watch the last shreds of freedom and democracy be flushed down the toilet.........or...............we are forced to rise up and BECOME the leaders. I suspect the latter is why so many still wait for the "knight in shining armor" it's much easier to blame than to actively make change.
I choose to stop waiting......become a leader. I think my family will have a greater chance of survival.

[DistressedAmerican]

26. Kicker