Quote:
Originally posted by RACooper
When I ask why the media seems to encourage it, I was refering to this campaign campared to previous ones... I don't remember there being that many programs that had people from both parties going at each other so "enthusiastically"; I remember debates and discussions - not cheap shots and sound bites. Nor do I remember the parties actually using a political stance as an insult before - you know using "liberal" or "conservative" as some sort of insulting label?
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Trouble is that politics has become a contest that must be won at all costs. The laws are simply obstacles that parties always seem to find ways around. The truth is something that is relative and unimportant, stances on issues aren't done because of values, but to win votes. It's become a very cynical process. Many of us Americans are turned off by this, but what choice do we have?
I have my own ideas about politics. Unfortunately, in the US, non-name-brand candidates stand little/no chance of doing anything productive (except maybe they can be a spoiler for a Republican or Democrat that is closely aligned with their ideas). The electorate has been forced into a false choice and there's nothing that the people in power will do to unseat themselves.
That being said, I think we are still far and away the best nation on Earth. Our political wars never really rise to any level of violence. If what had happened in 2000 with our election had occured in some country in South America, you'd be talking about a full scale revolution, not something that would be solved in the courts.