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The United States is a democracy, but more specifically, a representative democracy. That means citizens don’t directly vote on most laws or policies—aside from
by willio58 1y ago
The United States is a democracy, but more specifically, a representative democracy. That means citizens don’t directly vote on most laws or policies—aside from certain state or local measures—but instead elect representatives to make those decisions on our behalf. The idea is that we trust them to act in our best interests.
You can probably see where the problem comes in. Take, for example, a politician who campaigns on Medicare for All or universal healthcare. To win an election, they often need massive campaign funding—much of which comes from wealthy donors, including those in the medical or pharmaceutical industries. And once in office, they’re targeted by powerful lobbying efforts worth billions of dollars from those same industries.
In the end, the issue is that politicians can legally receive millions in donations and support from industries whose interests might directly conflict with the needs of the people they’re supposed to represent.
Ultimately though, it is known by most people irrespective of party affiliation that medical costs are out of control. One recent example of this collective understanding was when the united healthcare exec was killed. Before there was even a suspect, people generally knew why he was assassinated. Most people in the U.S. have either been directly affected by the insanity that is our healthcare system, or one of their loved ones has. Those that haven’t yet, it’s just a matter of time. It’s just so pervasive.
- supertrope 1y agoAs Lawrence Lessig put it: before the general election and before the primary election, there is a "Lester" election where donors choose who is able to mount a campaign. Candidates are effectively pre-qualified by 0.0005% of Americans. It's probably an even smaller crowd than that as that includes Joe Nobody who gives $20. Those who "bundle" $1 million in donations or write a mega check themselves have exponentially more access.
- egorfine 1y agoAh, so Americans are okay with that system as well. Got it.
- quickthrowman 1y agoIt might be worth mentioning that a massive propaganda campaign against universal healthcare has been conducted on the American public for decades by interests that benefit from privatized healthcare.
- TranquilMarmot 1y agoWe're not okay with it, but it's so entrenched by the wealthy that the only way out will eventually be violent revolution which nobody wants.
- willio58 1y agoAs stated near the end of my comment, most Americans are not okay with the system as it is. It’s legalized corruption that perpetuates the system. For further reading, I recommend learning about the Citizens United vs FEC case that vastly increased the amount of money going to politicians, far over individual donation limits. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC
- svobodovic 1y agoHow did you come to this conclusion from the previous answer/comment?
- egorfine 1y agoBecause they don't want/don't change the electoral system
- willio58 1y agoThe problems with the electoral system are just one symptom of a deeper issue: unlimited political donations. The wealthiest individuals in the world can funnel endless money to politicians through Super PACs, and that influence shapes policy more than an individual voter ever could. Even if we magically fixed the electoral system tomorrow, the results would be superficial. Sure, we might see more Democrats in office—but if they’re still beholden to massive, uncapped donations, how can we expect them to enact real, meaningful change? This problem with money in politics is not something that only affects one party. It's a systematic issue that needs regulation. Without real regulation on money in politics, everything else is a band-aid on an open and festering wound.
- mothballed 1y agoNot Americans OK with it, just that right-wing wants hypercapitalist low-regulated helathcare while left-wing wants basically "free"/communist health care. Both of which are infinitely better than what we have now, which is bastardized worst elements of both. But because both sides will never agree we'll get neither, only the current hellscape.
- BrenBarn 1y ago> The United States is a democracy, but more specifically, a representative democracy. As your following explanation makes clear, it's actually an unrepresentative democracy.
- jb1991 1y agoThere are very few countries in the world that are not a representative democracy. Switzerland is a well-known example of a country where citizens directly vote on most legislation, but in most other countries, you have a parliament, congress, etc that represents the people.
- BrenBarn 1y agoThat doesn't really have anything to do with the ways in which the US is an unrepresentative democracy.
- DaSHacka 1y agoNo, but it does with singling them out in particular.
- stOneskull 1y agounfortunately, they represent a party before representing the people