The dysfunction that lies at the very heart of American politics

[verges]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/07/michael-cohen-us-political-dysfunction

Michael A Cohen

Nearly three years ago, on a night of great history, a slender 47-year-old black man who had just been elected to the nation's highest political office offered the American people an optimistic vision for the country's future. Quoting Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama spoke of national unity: "We are not enemies, but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."

That night, Obama offered the American people a clear sense of his overriding priority as president – it wasn't just to fix the ailing US economy, provide healthcare for all or end the war in Iraq. But rather, after eight years of political turmoil and disunity, through the force of his personality and political temperament, Obama would, as Lincoln said, "bind up the nation's wounds".

Things have not quite worked out as Obama planned. Even with poll results suggesting that Americans prize compromise and are tired of overt partisanship, the level of division and acrimony in Washington has grown exponentially since Obama took office. The recent debt limit debate is the apogee of Washington's dysfunction: and indicative of a political system that is seemingly incapable of dealing with national challenges. Indeed, whatever one may think of Standard & Poor's recent downgrade of US debt, the ratings agency view that "the effectiveness, stability, and predictability of American policy-making and political institutions have weakened" seems almost self-evident.

How has America been reduced to one party holding a gun to the US economy and the other trading away its political principles to stop the trigger from being pulled? The problem is that the US today has one party intent on utilising government resources as a force for social good and another that rejects any significant role for the public sector. Compounding this collision of ideologies is a populace so indifferent to the workings of their own government that they are unable to choose which model they prefer.

[BeFree]

1. I prefer it this way

We just went thru 8 years of bush unity and look where that got us.

As it is, the dumbasses are showing their true colors and waking the populace to just how damn crazy the teabaggers are. In the end, it is best. Obama gets reelected and the congress goes solid Dem in 2013. Then there will be unity like you never saw before.

[verges]

2. Did you read the article?

He pretty clearly points out that they are winning because no one gives a shit. You prefer that?

[BeFree]

4. No I didn't

They are not 'winning' but the little people are losing. The only way we will ever win is by getting the bush lovers out of power once and forever. They are really showing their asses and hopefully the presently 'don't give a shits' will give a shit and vote dem. Otherwise, forget it, we're done.

[caraher]

3. I sure hope so

But I'm not so optimistic. It's perhaps what would happen with a rational electorate, I think, but with apologies to Rumsfeld, you go to the ballot box with the electorate you have, not the one you wish you had...

[verges]

5. You really ought to read an article before

you comment on it.

[BeFree]

7. You really should read what I wrote

And comment on that. I read the op and it has truth. But remember this is all a game. The only way to change the game is if the people vote out the gamers. The rest is just pissing and moaning like the op'ers' author.

[pretzel4gore]

6. but ...presidunce palin...the cliff is so close!

this thing can be destroyed, outright, if that crazed palin is given the keys! even better, that Bachman critter...she's Anus Coulter w/out any brains! Or Glenbeck! Wow. Grinning rightwing stooge heaven! Just a couple more years of flat urth society rule (and dems selling out) and ...it's KABOOM! ZAP! POW! CRUNCCCHHH! Whap ZING! KKKerist! Plopdarn! overanout!
Go bush...lol

[OHdem10]

8. One factor that seems to be ignored or perhaps not understoood

by Democrats.

The Republicans have this notion of entitlement to hold the
Presidency of the US. They do not believe another party
is worthy of the Presidency. Therefore they spend their
lives trashing Democrats and trying to sow seeds of doubt
re their (Democrats) abilities. It has been made worse this
time by some strains of racist behavior in the Party. Not
all Republicans are racists, but somehow the black sheep
got out of the fence this time more than usual. That seaid
had our candidate been a WASP whose lineage could traced
back to the Mayflower, the ad hominem never ending beat of
the trashing drums would have been just as loud. He is a
Democrat. Go back through the years---We did have a WASP
who became Americas greatest, but the Republicans were just
as obnoxious and meanspirited toward him--He was a Democrat
and therefore not worthy to be President. Truman had to
deal with their trashing, moving right along Carter, Clinton.

Democrats at some point are going to have to make the case
to American People pointing out hkow destructive to Democracy the Republican Party has become. It will take a Group of Democrats
who truly believe in the Democratic Party Principles. No
disrespect to anyone, but Me Too Democrats towing a Rpublican
line will not be convincing. Until we do this, the Republicans
win.
Party has become

[BeFree]

9. They win because....

...they own the voting machines.