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Senate to return to Republican control?

Discussion in 'Alley of Lingering Sighs' started by Carcaroth, Dec 19, 2006.

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  1. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

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    Remove all ads!
    OK, but look at how popular Bush was with the Republican party until fairly recently. The Republicans got more votes that the Democrats in 04, so if we hypothetically consider a party system, in the U.S., Bush would have become prime minister. While Bush is not very popular at this moment in time, he was the Republican poster boy for the past 6 years. Even though many people thought him polarizing, and sharply disagreed with his views, most Republicans absolutely loved him. That's why I'm saying it could happen in Europe as well. If you're popular with your party, you can get ahead even if lots of people think you're a complete idiot.
     
    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot, Dec 21, 2006
    #21
  2. Montresor

    Montresor Mostly Harmless Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    [​IMG] One problem with an elected government, coupled with mass media (especially television), is that people tend to vote for Charisma rather than Intelligence or Wisdom. You can get far more votes with a catchy phrase/slogan and a pretty face than with a well-reasoned and carefully formulated argument.

    I don't think it works much differently in America than it does in Europe, except I suspect campaigns are much more expensive, so you need more money to be elected - and you end up owing more people favors after you have been elected.

    The disadvantage to the American "Winner takes all" system is that it favors big parties and makes it all but impossible for independents or third-party candidates to win (the last time a new party replaced an older one was in 1860 when the Republicans came to power at the expense of the Whigs). And, election districts can be shaped ("Gerrymandered") for political purposes.

    The advantage is that candidates represent their districts and that everyone is, in theory, directly and personally represented in Congress.
     
    Montresor, Dec 21, 2006
    #22
  3. Chandos the Red

    Chandos the Red This Wheel's on Fire

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    Yeah, I agree with a lot of what you are saying here. But I still believe strongly in the notion of true representative government, and that ultimate power resides with the people. And in the end, the people get the representation they deserve (especially since they vote for it). I still am very happy with the American system of government, even though the choices have been a bit limited lately, as you correctly point out. But there are always long-shots like Ross Perot and Ralph Nader, who have made their own marks on the face of American politics. Anytime people wish to, they can vote for an alternative to the two party system (although limited), and still they choose not to. It reminds me a lot of that old expression - "The election is over and the People have spoken...the bastards." :)
     
    Chandos the Red, Dec 22, 2006
    #23
  4. Montresor

    Montresor Mostly Harmless Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder

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    I agree that the representative democracy is the best form of government. I suppose Europeans and Americans alike think "their system" is best because it's the one they are used to. There is at least one point where I prefer America: You have the best constitution!
     
    Montresor, Dec 23, 2006
    #24
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