Why do Americans persist so stubbornly in believing that there can only be two choices, both of them bad, with no alternatives at all?
The Iron Law of Oligarchy at work, perhaps. I think voting for people rather against them is an important issue, though, and I cringe everytime an election here is held to reflect the opinion people have of something or someone ELSE; it's quite common, though, and anytime there is (for example) an election in one of the states, it'll inevitably be construed as a test for the federal government as well. The media, alas, are feeding into this (some by outright saying "if you want to stick it to the federal government, vote against their party in these unrelated elections", some by constantly reporting on how the election supposedly *is* a test of that sort, as if that is a fact set in stone), and quite a few people really do vote this way, too... which then lends a certain justification to the latter media's reporting, enough so that it won't be questioned by other media.
Of course, needless to say, politicians are feeding this as well, and the same politicians have absolutely no problem with encouraging it when it benefits them and decrying it when the tables are turned.
But yeah, I really wish people would keep in mind what elections they're voting in and focus on THAT. If you're voting for the local dog catcher, don't do it based on whether you like or dislike Obama's track record... do it based on the (past, or expected future) performances of the candidates.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 09:48 am (UTC)The Iron Law of Oligarchy at work, perhaps. I think voting for people rather against them is an important issue, though, and I cringe everytime an election here is held to reflect the opinion people have of something or someone ELSE; it's quite common, though, and anytime there is (for example) an election in one of the states, it'll inevitably be construed as a test for the federal government as well. The media, alas, are feeding into this (some by outright saying "if you want to stick it to the federal government, vote against their party in these unrelated elections", some by constantly reporting on how the election supposedly *is* a test of that sort, as if that is a fact set in stone), and quite a few people really do vote this way, too... which then lends a certain justification to the latter media's reporting, enough so that it won't be questioned by other media.
Of course, needless to say, politicians are feeding this as well, and the same politicians have absolutely no problem with encouraging it when it benefits them and decrying it when the tables are turned.
But yeah, I really wish people would keep in mind what elections they're voting in and focus on THAT. If you're voting for the local dog catcher, don't do it based on whether you like or dislike Obama's track record... do it based on the (past, or expected future) performances of the candidates.