07-21-2022, 01:36 PM
(07-21-2022, 01:08 PM)Nately120 Wrote: Recognizing that Trump plays an uncomfortably large role in our country isn't what keeps him relevant.
Also keep in mind that him winning in 2016 and being the GOP face he is today was due to people saying "Nahhhh, never could happen. All sizzle no steak." People refused to believe his presidential bid was more than hot air to get attention and money, and here we are.
Plus, who wants us to take our eyes off of Trump? The guy is throwing shade at republicans all over and is under investigation...seems like an interesting time for people to say "OK, you can stop looking at him now."
American apathy is the root cause of all of this. People who refuse to get involved in the political process because they claim it doesn't affect them.
The primary system awards those who are involved. The people who are most involved in the process are those who are passionate about their beliefs which often are those who are the most extreme of their parties. Closed primaries lock out those not belonging to a political party. Primaries also benefit those with name recognition. So what happens is for the general election we often end up with extreme candidates for those who didn't or couldn't vote in the primary elections are forced to choose between.
We have to stop giving credence to the thoughts/ideas/beliefs of uber-rich or famous people just because they are uber-rich or famous.
People need to work to change the voting rules in their states. Politicians are doing everything in their power to consolidate their own power. Primaries should be open or like California combined so that the top primary winners make it to the general election regardless of party. Ballots should be open to allow for more 3rd party or independent candidates. Ranked voting could be a real game changer.
Voters need to actually inform themselves about candidates and not just vote for them because they are 1) the incumbent 2) a member of their party 3) famous. They need to protest and force changes to prevent gerrymandering. Politicians should be removed entirely from the process. Granted that didn't work out for Ohio in 2022 but it will once a few more things are tweaked.
We have a dysfunctional government because we collectively have voted in a large number of dysfunctional politicians who are more interested in keeping their cushy job than actually doing it.
The most important thing any patriotic American can do it VOTE in every single election
Fueled by the pursuit of greatness.
