Democracy Is Working With People
You Don’t Agree With
To Achieve
What You Both Want

Don’t be fooled by the fact that we just had an election.

it is true that elections are the foundational component in a democratic society. The vote represents the voice of every single person. Individuals vote for the candidates who represent them and they choose those candidates based on the political issues they plan to push, the legislation they intend to introduce.

But that’s not the end of the process. It’s only the beginning.

The fact is we usually pick candidates based on their political views, the issues they intend to support and promote while in office. But the issues are not the issue. It’s also not whether they will keep their campaign promises.

Campaign promises let us know where the candidate stands but we all know that promises are subject to the interactions of law makers in the course of doing their jobs.

The real question is will the candidate I choose be able to negotiate fairly with political peers to get things done? Not will they do everything they said they will do but will they be emotionally mature enough to recognize a good trade off when they see it? Are they wise enough to work with others to get the best possible deal?

We’re learning more and more that what a candidate promises and what they’re able to get done are two different things.

And that should be expected. Candidates come from different places are each working toward different goals. To expect each candidate to achieve their every promise is naive and senseless.

When it comes to politics, middle ground – which is essentially a compromise – is the best you can possibly achieve. It’s the place where both sides get something.

That’s the issue. That’s the democratic process. Elections are necessary but they aren’t enough. The democratic process needs to be well oiled and well used for legislation to move forward in an acceptable manner.

So that means there are two considerations. There’s the vote and that’s where the public engages. Then there’s the legislative process where the elected candidates do their job to work with all other parties to arrive at agreeable legislative solutions.

We call that the democratic process and it isn’t happening so much these days.

Autocrats don’t get it. [Read more…] about Democracy Always Beats Autocracy

The Best Idea
Is Openly And Diligently Debated
And Eventually Agreed To
By All Parties

This article is focused on what used to be the entrenched two party system in the US. I’m not suggesting we change the system. I’m suggesting it’s slowly morphed into something very different.

We lived with it for many years and, in spite of its flaws, it served us acceptably well. But all that’s been changed.

Reasonable Debate No Longer Applies

What used to happen between the Democratic and Republican forums – debate the issues until acceptable middle ground is agreed upon – is no longer at play and hasn’t been for a while.

Starting at least with Richard Nixon, Republicans began using tactics that could only be tagged as treason. Nixon’s Watergate scandal is common knowledge but that wasn’t his worst infraction. Nixon’s interference in the Vietnam peace talks isn’t talked about as much or known as widely but it far outweighs the criminality of Watergate. Both instances, however, shine a light on what was to come.

His motive in both cases was to win the presidency at any cost.

Things have gotten worse. Republicans are no longer interested in rational debate. They will do anything to win an election.

Nixon was shamed out of office once his true character came to the surface. Now, Republicans act out and dare anyone to question it. [Read more…] about It’s No Longer About Democrats And Republicans

Christie Understands
The Importance Of Consensus

After watching Chris Christie’s CNN hosted town hall Monday night, I’m convinced he’s the man to beat. He’s the newest Republican Presidential candidate to enter the race, and there are many, but he’s distinguished himself quite clearly from all the rest.

Other candidates may agree with him on substance but the difference is not so much in the philosophies but in the approach. Christie doesn’t mince words. He said exactly what many people think about Trump, something no other Presidential hopeful has been willing to do. In that regard, Christie is a breath of fresh air.

And really, isn’t that what we want from our leaders? Don’t we want to know what they are thinking? And hasn’t clarity been lacking for a long time, until Christie. Even Reagan doesn’t matchup. He was pleasant, smooth and poetic but rarely pointed.

You can’t listen to Christie and wonder what he’s thinking. No reading between the lines required.

I don’t think hard core members of either party will vote for him but all those in the middle (the majority), including Independents will take notice.

What became clear from the interaction was his ability to articulate answers to difficult questions that were both truthful and palatable. He didn’t back down from labeling Trump but his statements about Trump weren’t just media tricks to get attention. He also didn’t dodge any other questions. He openly admitted what he thought on the issues. He take a position and then explained how he would approach the issues.

Take abortion for example. [Read more…] about Chris Christie Is The Man To Beat