We are all taught in government run schools albeit subtly that the US government derives it's legitimacy to govern because We The People elected the various representatives who control Washington.
So while we might not agree with who currently sits on Capital Hill, we have the option to vote them out next election. This of course is a process which has been going on for at least the last 60 years and undoubtedly longer. As Carrol Quigley said
"The chief problem of American political life for a long time has been how to make the two Congressional parties more national and international. The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to the doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead the two parties should be almost identical, so the that American people can 'throw the rascals out' at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy."
The typical American soothingly deludes himself into the notion that he has a say in what transpires in this nation. That although his voice is small and his vote is only one in millions it is still powerful. If you feel like you are somewhat in control of the direction you are headed it is comforting, and while their may be some unpleasant detours along the way you remain quiet because after all you will speak up next election cycle and make your voice heard.
When you think of the reality of the situation the conclusion you reach is much different than the relatively pleasant dream world you have lived in. (which is why most people don't think)
Let's consider the reality.
Nobody in America today is happy with where we are, or are headed. Other than the few who benefit of course. I'm talking about the average American, and I mean all of them, now granted I think 90% totally miss the boat in regards to steps needed in restoring the republic but they DO know that something is wrong. Whether it is the liberal tax and spend democrats who were beside themselves when Obama got the nomination, the bible belt "conservative" who was duped into buying the neo con lie and currently worships at the altar of Palin, or the working Joe who doesn't get into politics unanimously they can sense that something is amiss.
So how is it that if these politicians are supposed to be our proxies in Washington and do what WE elect them to do, that the system is failing, that our will isn't being done? This is their sole job after all.
Here are 2 glaring examples of work that we want done, they seem to agree to do it, but in the end nothing gets done, and basically by magic you can't pin the blame on anyone.
The first is Prop 8 in California voted on by the masses and their verdict? No sodomite marriage in CA. Cased closed right? Nope some judge just overrules what the people voted on. Clearly this goes against what the people want. Where is the "democracy" in that? The citizens of Californias voices weren't heard.
This is another example which I was thinking about the other day. That is HR 1207, the Audit The Fed bill. The very vast majority of Americans supported it, 73% of the entire House of Representatives supported it, in the Senate 32 senators co sponsored the bill. So surely a bill with such vast amounts of support would sail through right? Nope it gets caught in the gears of the confusing, nonsensical way in which laws are passed. Who can be blamed for it not passing? It's pretty much a mystery to me, which is exactly the way they want it since their jobs rely on the blame game and always blaming someone else for why the country is in the toilet using any metric you choose.
Now these are just 2 examples, mainly because it's 1AM and I'm tired. But the bottom line is, you don't have a say in what finally goes on. The bankers do, the military industrial complex does, the huge multi national corporations do. This is the fascist state in which they get FILTHY rich at the expense of the little man.
They get the bailouts you get the bill. It's a pretty nice racket they have going, and the best part is everyone runs around with cherished delusions of vague notions of "freedom" and "land of opportunity" rhetoric.
"If voting made a difference they wouldn't let us do it."
Samuel Langhorn Clemens
