Politics As Usual

 

Conservatives and Liberals: they're all the same. Both Democrats and Republicans have been found to violate ethics standards; both engage in sexual abuse and extra-marital affairs. But that's because they're human; it has nothing to do with politics. Politicians are just interested in scoring points and getting elected.ⁱ The policies they claim to support are simply those they think will help in their quests. It's a problem for those who really believe in the policies.

Those in office press legislation that is likely to sound appealing to voters irrespective of the content of the bills. In fact, the congressional supporters may not even be aware of what is in the bills, but they're willing to back them in exchange for votes for their own legislation, for the inclusion of earmarks bringing benefits to their own constituents, or because there is a need to support the party position. Those out of office oppose any such legislation although they, too, may be completely unaware of the contents of the bills. It's a rare member of the opposition who will support a government initiative “on principle.” At the moment it is Democrats who are supporting proposals which are long, complex, and confusing, and though they may containing local or personal benefits, they are likely to be expensive, and, in the long run, short on the values they claim to promote. Many of them are unpopular for these reasons.ⁱⁱ And the Republicans oppose virtually any proposal by the Administration ostensibly for these reasons, but more likely in order to stymie any action which may benefit their opponents. As was recently said by a commentator,ⁱⁱⁱ if the Democrats favored motherhood,^iv the Republicans would oppose it. The same kind of behavior would hold, of course, if their roles were reversed.

But they're the only game in town. The various “third” parties usually have no chance of winning, or of governing if, by some miracle, they won. Not that it really matters. The middle level people – the “functionaries” – are the only ones who get anything done and they have no interest in official policy, only in what is likely to benefit or interest them and ensure their continuity in what are tenured positions. It really doesn't matter who is in office, except to those running for election.^v

That's a cynical position. I know that. But each time there is a new President or Congress it blames its failures on its predecessors and claims any successes for itself. And it winds up doing pretty much the same as that which preceded it. That's certainly true of the President who, during the campaign, may have sworn to make changes in the Government, but whose actions, when in office, usually mimic those of the previous President. That's not surprising. It's easier to make claims when you have no responsibility; and the desire to score points encourages such behavior.

That's the way our democracy works. Conservatives and Liberals have a lot in common. But many of our policies will remain unchanged irrespective of who's in charge. Typically these are foreign policy issues, however even some of our social policies have taken on lives of their own and their continuance is assured. We rant a lot and demand change, but fortunately we have one of the world's most stable governments, even if we are very negative about it.

The only solution is to be more positive and to play the hand we were dealt. It's a good one that really should please us. And it would if we took it more seriously. Not enough of us vote because not enough of us care. In reality, I'm not sure the result would be any different if there were greater participation, but it's worth a try. The Founding Fathers set a course for us that may not be perfect, but it seems to work.^vi And despite our efforts to change everything, our democracy is holding up. We've tried all kinds of changes, toward more conservative and more liberal, but we come back to the same overall policies no matter who's in charge. Maybe we've tried too hard to change and not hard enough to follow our original principles. Perhaps we should return to them.

It's worth a try. We've exhausted the alternatives.

Next episode: “Lessay Fare” – That's easy for me to say.

i      As well, of course, as their general human interests in the earthly pleasures.

ii     Who knows what it will be after Election Day.

iii    I don't remember who it was, but I heard it on the radio. It's got to be true.

iv    This is not the best place to discuss abortion policies.

v    They tell us it's critical to us, but the only change that will occur if they're elected is that they get the paycheck and the note on their resumé. It really won't help us at all.

vi    The main interest of the political parties is in the Funding Fathers.  They have little interest in the Founding Fathers.