1 year, 7 months ago
Which candidates do you think will actually represent the majority of the People if elected November 2nd?
Democrats?
Republicans?
Other long-standing party like the Green Party or Independent Party?
Grass Roots?
Some combination thereof?
(If a combination, what % mix do you think would be optimum.)
Note: By Grass Roots I mean any candidate (city, suburban, or rural) who's on the ballot more or less by his/her own initiative rather than being "picked" by the powers-that-be of a given party or coalition.
Republicans?
Other long-standing party like the Green Party or Independent Party?
Grass Roots?
Some combination thereof?
(If a combination, what % mix do you think would be optimum.)
Note: By Grass Roots I mean any candidate (city, suburban, or rural) who's on the ballot more or less by his/her own initiative rather than being "picked" by the powers-that-be of a given party or coalition.
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M$2 Answers
As a former political advisor, I have to say that my answer is not going to please a lot of people.
Your best chance of having a politician actually represent a large number of poeple is going to go to a small local election. Small town city commissions and mayors are the closest you are going to get to people that actually represent the people.
The higher you go up the ladder, the more you are pressured to represent you political party, and hold closer to the views of the political party. Most politicians will hold close to their party values, and to their own when it involves a chance to move up a ladder or into a job after retirement.
It does not matter what political party you look at, the candidates of that party serve the party. When it comes to smaller parties, like the Green Party, the pressure is to make the party bigger. For the Republicans and Democrats, the goal is to pull power from the other party. This is basic political strategy.
Time to time, a politician will vote for a bill, or introduce legislation that will put him or her in a positive light in their area. The goal is not to help out their area, it is to get reelected, to have someone else in the area of the same party elected, or to guarantee support at home. It is not for you. You are just a lucky side effect.
Any opolitician who states that he or she is for the common person is wither lying or not in a position of enough power to know the difference. As I said, local politicians might be for you, but not once they move up the ladder. Than, you are just the person that voted for them.
Over my career, I met almost everyone in the House and Senate. There is only one - one person that I could say that I met that showed that he had the ideas and ideals of the people in mind. There was only one person that I could say made be believe that he cared more about the poeple. Strangely, it was Independent Senator Joe Lieberman.
Your best chance of having a politician actually represent a large number of poeple is going to go to a small local election. Small town city commissions and mayors are the closest you are going to get to people that actually represent the people.
The higher you go up the ladder, the more you are pressured to represent you political party, and hold closer to the views of the political party. Most politicians will hold close to their party values, and to their own when it involves a chance to move up a ladder or into a job after retirement.
It does not matter what political party you look at, the candidates of that party serve the party. When it comes to smaller parties, like the Green Party, the pressure is to make the party bigger. For the Republicans and Democrats, the goal is to pull power from the other party. This is basic political strategy.
Time to time, a politician will vote for a bill, or introduce legislation that will put him or her in a positive light in their area. The goal is not to help out their area, it is to get reelected, to have someone else in the area of the same party elected, or to guarantee support at home. It is not for you. You are just a lucky side effect.
Any opolitician who states that he or she is for the common person is wither lying or not in a position of enough power to know the difference. As I said, local politicians might be for you, but not once they move up the ladder. Than, you are just the person that voted for them.
Over my career, I met almost everyone in the House and Senate. There is only one - one person that I could say that I met that showed that he had the ideas and ideals of the people in mind. There was only one person that I could say made be believe that he cared more about the poeple. Strangely, it was Independent Senator Joe Lieberman.
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M$
Nobody can or will represent "the People" because the people of the country are so diverse. Even within a single Congressional district people are very diverse, with a few exceptions where the district has been gerrymandered to isolate a specific community.
The Republicans will represent the wealthy, big business, and social conservatives. The Democrats will represent the middle class and poor, the Greens (mostly) represent ardent environmentalists. The Tea Party represents witch-wannabes and folks who believe bicycles are a UN plot to undermine the constitution.
It should also be noted that most people do not vote, especially in mid-term elections, so they are represented by candidates who do not run. Alvin Green comes to mind.
The Republicans will represent the wealthy, big business, and social conservatives. The Democrats will represent the middle class and poor, the Greens (mostly) represent ardent environmentalists. The Tea Party represents witch-wannabes and folks who believe bicycles are a UN plot to undermine the constitution.
It should also be noted that most people do not vote, especially in mid-term elections, so they are represented by candidates who do not run. Alvin Green comes to mind.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Joe Lieberman is without doubt a cut-above the rest. I knew immediately when you said "one" that it would be Joe Lieberman.
I hope that some not-so-entrenched-in-the-party grass roots candidates win, and that the committed supporters behind them continue their support when they get to D.C., so they aren't thrown to the lobby lions and swallowed up in the same D.C. machinations.
Thanks for the inside perspective. I think you'll find that your views/experiences are not a surprise to anyone. And yes, many are displeased, ergo a "grass roots" movement. It will be interesting to see if the "little-man" can eventually overcome (without revolution).