American political apathy and ignorance aren’t the causes of our political problems.
Apathy isn’t a cause of our political problems. It’s a symptom.
If people who are apathetic about voting suddenly cared, what difference would that make? Would most of them vote conservative so Republicans could take over? Would most of them vote liberal so Democrats could take over? Would money stop determining elections? Would better people run for office? Would campaigns become less expensive? No.
Probably, if fewer people were apathetic, they’d vote in elections similarly to how people vote now. We’d have more people voting in elections. Probably the results wouldn’t change or wouldn’t change much.
Apathy isn’t a cause of our political problems. It’s a symptom.
Ignorance isn’t a cause of our political problems. It’s a symptom.
Similarly for ignorance. Why wouldn’t people learn about politics? Why would people ignore world events or history? Either because they don’t matter or when they care, it’s frustrating. People learn when there’s a reason to learn. Yes, some are curious and they satisfy that curiosity even if it’s uncomfortable. But not everyone’s like that.
Being uninformed isn’t a cause of our political problems. It’s a symptom.
Plus, apathy and ignorance support each other. If you don’t care, you don’t pay attention to the news. If you don’t pay attention, the news is boring. If you don’t know what’s happening, you don’t care.
Our political party system is frustrating.
Our political system is frustrating. Imagine someone is fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Which party would they join? Which party would they vote for? Imagine someone who likes socialism and equality, but thinks homosexuals and abortion are sinful. Who would they vote for?
In 2015, 42% of Americans identified themselves as independent. Only a quarter, 26% identified as Republican, 29% as Democratic. Maybe these are half of our citizens. So maybe 2/3 of them don’t vote. How can they care about elections when the Democrats and the Republicans won’t compromise?
And of the 55% who identify as affiliated with a major party, many must be near the edge or have at least some issues where they prefer the other party position or are more centrist.
We stick with the party system because it’s part of our culture. Because they’ve collected power and keep the system going, not because they’re good, right or fair. Not because there’s no better way.
There’s a better way.
A better way would be to have representatives and senators truly represent all their constituents, not just their parties. A better way would be to have a system where they’re accountable to us, the people, ALL the people. This is what PeopleCount.org is proposing. Please, join us.
Please, add your email to PeopleCount.org’s mailing list. We’ll start our beta in the next few months, and launch soon after. Try a new way of communicating. Help rejuvenate Democracy. Help end ignorance and apathy.