American Politics or "How Representative of You!"

One problem I see in our world is the popularity contest we call elections. If anyone happens to wonder why people are disillusioned with the American political system and feel that single votes do not count don't have to look any further than the author of this post to find someone that agrees with them. We have the power to vote for the candidates we prefer, and occasionally, we are thrown a bone when it comes to some issues we can vote on directly which otherwise would not be able to see the light of day given partisan politics. Otherwise, nothing is up to us. We are a people governed by those who are able to garner the most popularity, spend the most money to get their face and name recognized, or just happen to fall in the right party when enough ballots are filled out as straight party ticket.

We don't make choices as a people, the elected representatives - and I use that term lightly - make them for us. Too cynical? Maybe. However, my question is - when is the last time you met one of your representatives face to face or were asked by one of them what you thought on a particular subject or issue involved in an upcoming vote? I believe that number is such a small percentage of the people they are supposed to be representing that they should be ashamed of themselves. The same problem here is the one I see in corporate america - politics - where it is not the person who works hardest that gets ahead, it is those who know people, or those that complain the loudest. Those with the loudest complaints get the majority of the attention from our representatives, and influence their vote - and those representatives are elected based on popularity...not what they stand for.

If we spent as much time concentrating on fixing the problems we do have and less time consolidating power for each particular political party, we would be able to create a stronger, more secure, free and prosperous United States. One that is truly representative of the people, by the people, and for the people. The current two party popularity contest is nothing but a farce, and always will be. I don't have all of the answers, but I know that our system is broken, and it will take working together and making sacrifices - to fix it.