If we are so tired of big business and government

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   then why do we keep electing the same politicians over and over? Why not vote for a neighbor or local leader. Do we just like to complain? So many complaints about big government and big business yet I see no one starting a company and refusing a pay check so that their employees can be paid more. Why can't we get out of this constant loop of crappy government followed by constant complaints?

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      Greekgeekposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A neighbor or local politician would never be able to get the billion dollar corporate and private donations needed nowadays to run a successful campaign.

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         peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         This is exactly my point. Voters allow this to happen. If we didn't vote for those who blew millions on campaigns they would stop doing it.

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      fpherj48posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      peeples....EXCELLENT question...and one of the many similar questions I have been asking for quite some time.    WHY do we?  and WHY don't we?    I don't know, peeples....but I am always looking for answers or searching for solutions.  I am certainly prepared to do what may be helpful or necessary to be a part of changing it all........It's THE question on all of our minds.   Why are we so damned helpless?
      Like you,  I ask and wonder and await an answer that will make the enormous difference!

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         psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         How about because you can only vote for qualifying candidates, and you can only qualify as a candidate by being part of the process and accumulating a huge election fund.
         
         How do you think that could be circumvented?

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            peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            We had other names on the ballot for president who did not have big funds, People chose not to vote for them.

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      rhamsonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The problem as you describe is both governmental and personal. Governments purpose is to serve the needs of the masses and the personal responsibility is to assure that happens through the vote. Unfortunately so many from both realms are interested only in sticking the Golden Goose and not serve the needs of the many.
      The vote is constantly under attack from both sides of the isle while lobbyists are offering personal creature comforts to the politicians to vote their way. How is it that Hillary Clinton was voted into congress with virtually no time lived in the area she represented? The party politic annointed her with their approval and there you have it.
      The politicians vote for their own benefit whether financial or percieved vote driven and you can forget the rest. The two party system has very succesfully divided us into squabbling over dribble and therefore operates as it pleases. When we finally get it through our heads that we are really a lot closer in our thinking than most realize we will begin to climb out of this downward spiral of complete apathy.
      Term limits, lobby reform and publicly financed campaigns is our only hope!

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   RBJ33posted 12 years ago

   Apathy peeples - Like Mark Twain said about the weather "Everyone talks about the weather but no one does anything about it."  Same with government - its easy to sit back and complain, and do nothing about it.  The American people have become too comfortable with affluence.  It is just too much trouble to get off the couch and fix what needs fixin.  We are totally controlled by corporations, but we allow it because we are comfortable.  All those extra fees we are charged on our utility bills, and cable TV bills, and water bills should not be, but as long as we have electricity and gas, and the TV gets the ballgame, and there is hot water to shower with, we let them pass.  Oh we might complain but what has that accomplished.  The American people can change things, if they really wanted to, but apathy sets in and we just go stumbling along.  It would take a massive effort of lots of people and lots of money, but it could make changes.

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      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree except the money thing. If we as a group stop following those with the most money I think it would stop being so important.

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   JaxsonRaineposted 12 years ago

   The problem is, there is no 'we'. 'We' can't just decide to change things, that's not a single entity trying to make a single decision.
   
   One person has very little chance of effecting any appreciable difference in this system.

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   Dame Scribeposted 12 years ago

   That is so true about 'apathy' inaction does nothing for anybody and a single person can't do anything on his/her own. I can only suggest start petitions, write to your leaders at local, regional or national levels. Start a party movement   What I don't get is, if one is going to complain then why not offer a solution to accompany the complaint? a realistic one that's good for the people over all and not just a 'select' group.

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      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Nice words, but it just doesn't work anymore.  The public has found that it can vote itself bread and circuses (necessities and luxuries) from the federal coffers and will continue to so whether it is good for the country or not.  The "me" of the equation vastly overrides the "we".
      
      You're going to put in a new air force base?  Put it next to my city!  That it will cost twice as much or that they planes have nowhere to fly doesn't matter - I want the income.
      
      You're going to increase border patrols?  No!!  You can't do that - I need illegals so I can pay wages that citizens can't live on.  I'll also need more federal money for their education and medical care - I don't have enough schools or hospitals to handle it and don't want to build more out of MY pocket for the illegals I hire and pay a pittance to.
      
      I let the population growth overrun my sewer treatment facilities because I didn't want to raise my local taxes, but the rest of the country will buy me a new one if my politician raises enough fuss.
      
      Until our politicians (that we elect to take care of our wants) understand that the "we" is more important than the "me" (that elected them) it isn't going to change.  Of course, that understanding must be accompanied by the appropriate vote, which will cost them their "me" job.

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   Keith Sutherland1posted 12 years ago

   You don't have to vote for the same politicians. There are independents and parties other than the major two. There are of course those that will say you are wasting your vote by going for anyone other than those in the two major parties. There is also the fear that the worse of the two evils will get elected so many vote for what they consider to be the lessor of the two evils. There are of course good people in both the major parties and I will vote for them, regardless of party if I feel they are worthy. In the past six elections for president, I have voted for a major party once. All the others I have gone with a third party. Of course my guy lost all those times but, if enough people would do that, the major parties might get the picture.
   
   The same goes for big business. Shop at a mom and pop. Eat at a mom and pop. Skip the lunch at McBurgerQueen and eat at Billy Bob's Diner instead. (the names are obviously fictional and only serve to make a point) Get some of your groceries from a farmers market, a local family owned deli and so on. They will appreciate your business.

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