There is a lot of talk about how divided our nation is these days. It seems like that’s all we see on television and in the news.
Are we really that far apart?
Consider the following statistics taken from recent Gallup and Pew research polls:
- 76% of all Americans support allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children (Dreamers) to stay in the country.
- 71% of all Americans support more government spending for education.
- 60% of all Americans support expanding Medicare to provide health insurance to every American.
- 63% of all Americans favor making four-year public colleges and universities tuition-free.
- 76% of all Americans are concerned about climate change.
- 82% of all Americans think economic inequality is a “big” problem.
- 80% of all Americans say corporations don’t pay their fair share of taxes.
- 78% of all Americans say wealthy people don’t pay their fair share of taxes.
- 73% of all Americans support banning assault-style weapons.
- 94% of all Americans support requiring background checks for all gun buyers.
Given this broad consensus on these and other issues, why is it so difficult to get anything done in Washington?
Democrats blame Republicans. Republicans blame Democrats.
…And they are both right. They are equally responsible for refusing to change a system that benefits them both.
In the dependence movement, they have a principal called “the first problem.” The addict invariably has a host of other problems but you have to deal with his addiction before you can deal with anything else.
In Washington, the “first problem” is Congress. In 2016, the average Congressional race cost $1.8 million while the average Senate race cost more than $10 million. Most people – including Members of Congress – don’t have that kind of money. So, if they want to get elected, they have to get it from somewhere. History shows there are always people who will give it to them, but these people are always going to want something in return. It turns politicians into prostitutes.
That’s the bottom line. We are not going to be able to deal with all the other problems our country faces until we deal with Congress’ addiction to easy money and the lobbyist who deal in it. The only way to drain the swamp is to turn off the faucet.
Bill – an excellent article. However, towards the end, I think the argument falls apart. I’ve seen it elsewhere: “It’s Congress’ fault, both sides of the aisle.” However, that gives an out to the guilty parties, instead of ensuring they take responsibility for their actions.
Please note that regarding the statistics of what the majority of U.S. citizens want, every single issue is supported by Democrats. Simultaneously, every single one has been fought by the GOP.
I know that there are many problems with our political machine (gerrymandered districts, electoral college vs popular vote, corporate money, a two-party system), but ultimately, it comes down to both citizens, as well as their elected representatives, voting for what is wise and reasonable – not voting simply according to their “tribal” dictates/party lines.
When Obama was elected, Mitch McConnell didn’t say, “We will do what’s right for U.S. citizens based on conservative principles.” He stated the GOP’s job was to block every new law put forth by the new administration, regardless of what it was, simply because it was Obama.
On the other hand, once Trump took office, almost the entirety of the GOP fell in lock-step. The party of “family values” supports a man who’s been married three times (having cheated on the first two), has hundreds of lawsuits filed against him (for failure to pay in business dealings, as well as sexual harassment), has gone bankrupt multiple times, and is more comfortable establishing relations with dictators (Putin, Jong-Un) than maintaining close ties with our allies. When he is also clearly supported by hate-groups across the country (After Charlottesville, how could Trump, with a clean conscience, state that “there are good people on both sides” when one of the sides has Nazis and KKK members?), one would think that “family values” voters and politicians would turn away. But they haven’t.
So, yes. The majority of U.S. citizens want what’s sane, wise, and compassionate. But, no, it’s not the fault of both parties.
This leads to the final point.
When Australia, after a brutal mass-shooting, took up a vote on whether to ban assault weapons, a staunch, right-wing conservative voted for the ban, knowing it would cost him his next election, but it would save lives. When asked why he voted for the ban, he stated that making the right choice was more important than keeping his job.
And that’s the problem here.
Both conservative citizens and politicians need to stop voting simply based on what’s labeled “GOP Right” – and start voting on what is simply right.
Ultimately, the fault is ours. We are in danger of watching our democracy degenerate into an oligarchy. As always, the question is what are you going to do about it?