Actually, the current process has not worked very well. In just our lifetimes we have had two contestable elections, 2000 and 1960. We have also had massive campaign finance corruption most of it never exposed. You haev certain states like Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan and now Florida which matter in a presidential election. Few other states matter at all. And in the case of Florida you now see unfair advantages given to one side or the other depending on who is the governor with the biggest political machine. So if you're not in the majority party in your particular state you are disenfranchised.
I know all this will take time to change but I predict this 21st century will begin with a thorough new re-analysis of our political regulations. Enemy #1 is the growing record amounts of soft money in the system with often pre-determines an election before it's even begun by chasing out anyone who isn't backed by big corporate or party bucks.
If McCain-Feingold passes that alone will bring sweeping changes.
Listening to Jim Baker now I'm sure everyone is disgusted and frustrated. Everyone is so partisan neither side will begin to tell the truth and will do anything they can get away with to sway a few hundred votes one way or another. Everything they say is an exaggeration. "We all know", "endless lawsuits", "tremendous opportunity for error", "seriously flawed" blah blah blah. Everything he says a total exaggeration. And this is supposed to be the GOP's most credible spokeman, a former Secretary of State acting like a ambulance chaser with his client in a neck-brace.
Both parties have made total hypocrites out of themselves and all because we've discovered a massive flaw in our system which might have been justified 100-200 years ago but certainly isn't ncessary now. Yes, Bush may end up winning by a few hundred votes in Florida, but only after many lawsuits and the fact that he lost the general election and really isn't popular anymore. The public is so disgusted with this that neither candidate will be popular or able to retain his credibility. This is a national tragedy but also a big eye-opener. Maybe Nader voters were right. We need this to shake up the system and get people thinking independently again. In fact both parties have been corrupted and have strayed far from the ideals they are supposed to stand for. These spin-doctors do nothing but lie and exaggerate, then blame each other for lying and exaggerating. And people aren't that stupid (well some are). They're going to see through this nonsense and do something about it. Sweep all the bums out next time. No wonder Gore and Bush are staying hidden. I'd be hiding too if I were a national big party politician.
We have a great country but our democracy has become flawed and out-dated. Let's get together on all sides and try to change it soon. I rest my case. |
