Mending What Is Broken

10/12/2016

I normally steer clear of the fray, but it has been an election year like no other. Usually it's the mudslinging that gets to me, along with endless commercials and media obsession, as if squabbling politicians are more interesting than REAL news. The divisiveness promulgated by talking heads was bad enough, but now everyone is weighing in on social media. The very medium meant to foster open communication and connectivity is driving deeper wedges between us. Yes, the antics of both current major party candidates reminds us of middle school, and just how badly our political system is broken. It is sad to think we don't have better options.

But...maybe we do. A third party candidate might just sweep in and gobble up those of us disgusted with the whole affair. True...though that isn't what I'm suggesting. It's time to think outside the box. I believe it's time for a "NO CONFIDENCE" vote to be an option. If a majority withdrew support from ALL candidates, declaring them unfit to lead, wouldn't we as a nation be obligated to look elsewhere?

I'm not naive enough to think we could ever get a consensus on one candidate; there are too many conflicting opinions for that. But what if our common disdain for what we have been offered was enough to at least get some more palatable choices on the table?

It's something to think about.

2 Comments

Sue DeKett

10/12/2016 12:37:44 pm

While I wish your possible solution would be most accepted and effective, I fear that it would not work. With the current system of the Electoral College, "we" don't actually have that much say in the process. One is not elected by popular vote, but electoral vote. Voting in each state could be as low as a 20% turnout and still the electoral college will be processing the votes and electing the one into office with the small majority of votes. After much thought and prayer, I have come to the conclusion that it is not the candidate that I need to follow but the platform on which they stand. Republicans and Democrats will be in charge in Congress where they will determine our laws. It is the platform that would hopefully direct the President to appoint Supreme Court Justices. The President, while still wielding some power, is not the most powerful when it comes to making laws. True, he has veto power, but he does not create the laws. He does not approve the appointments to the Supreme Court. Congress does. I am being led to follow my conscience in voting based on the platform of each of the parties.

C.A. Morgan link

10/12/2016 02:28:18 pm

You're right, Sue, that the electoral college will determine this election regardless of popular vote --- that is part of the same broken system. This was more of a "what if" post to get people thinking that maybe there is another way than the current process. We have been sold the same bill of goods for too many political seasons. Every candidate promises change for the better, but where is it? Campaign reform, election reform and REAL choices will not happen until the voting public demand them.

Ramblings
Sometimes I stumble, but it's okay as long as I get up and keep moving forward...