The democracy in the US is failing, and it is failing because those who are in power are abusing their power. One of the greatest concerns is that many elected officials, whether it be state or federal office, they hold that seat for decades maintaining their power for way too long. Politicians skirt the issue of term limits running for multiple offices well into their nineties holding power for decades, too.
We have a problem with politicians refusal to give up power or continually seeking power.
If we look elsewhere in the world, you see the same theme in other countries whether it be Putin or Netanyahu. Both are dictators, and the public views them as such especially this act of clinging to power.
My question to Americans- is this not the same issue with American politicians and the danger it is that they also cling to power?
Term limits are needed across state and federal governments. In the US, these politicians that seek a lifetime of political power become nothing more than an extension of the PACs, lobby groups, and special interest groups that fund their campaigns. It then becomes a system of favors and not what the Constitution states. The role of elected official is to address the needs of their constituents.
Why are elected officials refusing to address the needs of their voters? Why are elected officials refusing to listen to their voters? Why do we not hear of elected officials interacting with their constituents directly? Where are town hall meetings to meet and discuss issues as a community?
There is no interacting with constituents or the community other than to tout a program that often times the community did not ask for, or the community had to fight tooth and nail to achieve.
What drives those in office to hold a position of power is not to help but to profit. Many politicians are in an industry that is adjacent to the government, services the government, or manufactures goods for the government. The businesses and special interests these elected officials give their ear to are those with the largest campaign donations, not their constituents. The drive of these elected officials is either for their own personal business to profit, or for the business of the PAC, special interest, or lobby group which meets the needs of only moneyed interests. What about the voter’s needs?
The democracy cannot continue to function if these issues are not resolved. The electorate is screaming for a ceasefire in Gaza and US elected officials are outright refusing to listen to their constituents. The US public is asking for peace which should be the goal of any democracy, but not under the current US government.
Elected officials have entrenched themselves with the money from PACs, lobby groups, and businesses to steamroll an agenda that America does not want or agree with.
Our system is broken. It can be fixed.
We have to purge the political system of the politicians that refuse to listen to their voters (that’s the main role of holding office), and the politicians who have supported Israel’s genocide and war crimes.
We need changes to our constitution to protect the people from the abuses we are witnessing.
One of the greatest concerns is that these politicians do not want to give up their power. Biden, Graham, Leahy, Dingell, Conyer. Young, and scores of other politicians have served for more than 30-50 years in office.
Why must they hold office for half a century? At what point in time is that person considered autocratic and not democratic? Yes, they are voted on but they have all of the moneyed interests supporting them because they are a proven champion of quid pro quo with their campaign funders. These elected officials support a fealty system but this hurts voters and their needs.
Beyond the length of time, the age of those in office and the issues that come along with age become a major problem. Senator Feinstein is an example of this refusal to leave office and not being able to maintain the rigors of the office. Who is in control of the office if the person who holds that seat is incapable of doing so? Is it staff? Is it the party? But also why the need for power when the role of an elected official cannot be met? Is it that need and the allure of power? That is very concerning and is becoming a greater issue across all three branches of the US government.
Shouldn’t there be a better mixture of age in all elected offices so that more of the electorate is represented?
It’s alarming to think that, in a democracy, so many politicians have such a strong desire for power and not to relinquish it for the good of their constituents. It would be one thing if expansive policies were actually achieved but they are not. Not homelessness, not education, not healthcare, not the environment, there is no progress is the areas that need the most assistance and attention. Rights are being lost, not protected.
The US had an attempted insurrection just two years ago. Trump is still seeking the presidential office even though he attempted to overthrow the newly elected government. There is a problem with elected officials relinquishing power and seeking power. It doesn’t matter the party, though, they all want to maintain their influence and control.
We need many elected officials in office to permanently retire.
We need all of the elected officials out of office and power that support the war crimes and genocide that Israel is committing against Palestinians.
It is time for changes in all branches of the government. We need reform throughout all. Term limits, restrictions on campaign contributions, age limits, and a shift in power allowing the electorate to have direct votes on legislation are some of these much needed changes.
We are not being heard. The money is being heard. The PACs are being heard. Corporations are being heard. Lobby groups are being heard.
We the people are not being heard.
Vote third-party. It is one step closer in fixing this broken democracy. If more people vote for third-party, they will win and that can help drive actual programs that benefit the voters and not campaign donors.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. May the whole world be free.
Protest. Vote 3rd party. BE UNGOVERNABLE. Organize. Boycott. Volunteer. Contact elected officials. Share the stories from Palestine. Share the news from Palestine. Share the history of Palestine. Please extend the same energy to other areas that are affected by genocide and atrocities in the Congo, Sudan, West Papua, Armenia, and the Uyghurs.