- Sep 12, 2008
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I think that is close, but still backwards. The parties provide a service to the special interests. It really is more theater than policy. The politicians gesture, declaim, and move in a way that they feel will get them the most traction. Just like typecast actors. In effect, they have found that they get the most votes by behaving like Jim Carrey or Steve Martin or Pee Wee Herman. Just the same way with the TV we watch. If you wonder why shows like American Idol or Rosanne are on the air, it is because people watch them and buy the products advertised. If we actually watched better TV, we would get better TV. If we actually voted for better politicians, we would get them. We get the ones we vote for.and thats it exactlyNot really, not quite.. But it does remind me of my favorite lawyer joke:
Whats the difference between a catfish and a lawyer? One is a scum sucking bottom feeder, and the other is
a fish
They engage in the political kabuki theater like this, because this is what gets them elected and re elected. We buy into it, so we get more of it.
If we vote on policy, and if policy is what drives the debates, then we will get a better government. If we vote based on gotcha, we get gotcha.
my learning experiences in building a better web page
The only difference between the parties is which "pet" issues they support, and even then the line is very blurry.
the only difference is which special interest group they want to waste money on