Why are We the People not demanding better?

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:49:00 -0500

Can anyone honestly say that Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio are the best choices to represent the repubocrats? Why are registered Dems and registered Reps not demanding that their parties choose worthy candidates?

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Mar 1 at 2016 8:51 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:51:08 -0500

Because we are too lazy and too worried about our day to day lives to pay close enough attention to what the goons in Washington are doing to us.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 1 at 2016 8:57 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:57:18 -0500

You ask two different questions in your Title and your Text.

The first is "Demanding Better?" and the second is "Worthy Candidates?" I hate to say it but you can demand better and still end up with "unworthy" candidates.

The American Populace got so tired of listening to "dishonest" that Honesty became a Subjectively Better Quality, resulting in Candidates like Mr. Trump and Sen. Sanders. Say what you will about them, they're "honest." They got so tired of "business as usual" (without understanding how politics and bureaucracies work) that these "high energy" candidates seem like "worthy candidates."

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Mar 1 at 2016 8:57 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:57:36 -0500

why would anyone of value truly wish for that job?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:02 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:02:40 -0500

"Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt."

As long as the mob is fed and entertained most will remain apathetic. Many will use their votes only to ensure the bread and circuses continue. That's how we ended up in the situation we're in.

Response by SPC Alejandro Martinez made Mar 1 at 2016 9:07 AM

SPC Alejandro Martinez — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:07:16 -0500

Bro, PO3 Sherrill, I disagree that Ted Cruz isn't the best choice for the Republicans. If Trump is winning over the Republican voters, it's not due to quality of candidate but quantity of money.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:18:15 -0500

When people climb out of their box, in which they only believe that two parties exist - then we might see some resemblance of good governance and better policy making. Until then...keep cozy in your box and keep voting for the lesser of two evils.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:33:20 -0500

That's a great question. We sit back and laugh because lets face it this election has been a joke but nobody really does anything about it. Honestly what can we do? Politics in America is so polluted with people that don't deserve the seat that they hold. They need to just completely wipe out the senate and congress and get new blood in there. People are too comfortable collecting their fat paychecks that they don't want to stir the waters by pushing for real change.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Mar 1 at 2016 9:34 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:34:17 -0500

Who then? If not these knuckleheads, then who would be in their place? I have gone on the record to say that for a very long time, the election process has been a vote of who is least messed up to be in the office. And the fact remains that a very small number of those able to run will run. With such a high demand for resources, time, and money some that would make a great leader cannot. Nor do a lot of us want to expose ourselves to being in the center of the public spot light. So while we might deserve better, the next question of Who must be answered.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:47:44 -0500

Because other than a brokered convention, new names cannot just be added.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Mar 1 at 2016 10:08 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:08:15 -0500

Voting for and maintaining allegiances to a specific party means that we outsource our voice to that party's structure and policy choices (and therefore have to accept the candidates they push). I vote all across the spectrum, based on the candidates on the ballot and their specific positions at that time, and I don't register for a particular party.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Mar 1 at 2016 10:47 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:47:49 -0500

Because we've lost the ability - as a society - to rationally make decisions. Therefore, we revert to primal survival behavior. When someone offers us "stuff" without effort or responsibility, we jump at it.

I saw the other day that 45% of Americans pay no taxes. That says a lot about why people vote the way they do.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 11:14 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:14:34 -0500

Quite simply put, people are pissed. Republican Voters have been promised action on the budget, illegal immigration, Obama Care etc and Republican candidates who promised to address their issues did nothing once they were elected. There are very few actual conservatives in Washington; Ted Cruz is the only one running for office. Rubio represents the establishment Republican party...business as usual just as McCain and Romney did.

On the Democrat side I can't answer because I honestly can understand the level of mental illness that is required to support Sanders or Clinton.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Mar 1 at 2016 11:39 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:39:42 -0500

Because we don't matter. Plain and simple. We haven't mattered in over a century. No one running for office comes to the home of a voter and asks their opinion, how are they doing, or how can they make a difference. But they will damn sure seek out a millionaire or billionaire "buddy" to back them with money and insider influence; something the common man doesn't have until the time for endorsement's happen. We're getting what we give. We refuse to look at alternative candidates, and when one comes, we base what they should be doing against what some "professional" candidate did. So we don't give anyone a real chance. We also make unrealistic requirements...Ivy League School, Lawyer or Doctor, family name, has money. All those things don't mean anything, but seem to be an "official" measure of a candidate. I can't understand why we're so afraid to vote for an indie candidate?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 1 at 2016 12:18 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:18:46 -0500

Ben Franklin purportedly challenged us to keep our Republic and we did for a while. However, when we surrendered it, we also surrendered our right to "better". Better candidates. Better officials. Better government. Better lives. We had it and gave it up. The really sad part is that it took us so long to notice. The plenary Executive Branch made its first appearance with Teddy Roosevelt and We the People have been marginalized ever since. True, it took a while for the progressives to realize they had won and truly begin "changing" America, and the once successful nation with the most successful economy in the world, took a while to tear down. But, here we are and there you are. Welcome. Misery loves company...

Response by SGT Tyler G. made Mar 1 at 2016 1:12 PM

SGT Tyler G. — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:12:16 -0500

There are a number of problems with our current electoral process. One is that we the people are more interested in quick, easily-digestible soundbites rather than rational discourse to figure out what is truly the best way to move forward. One thing that would help is if we had real debates between candidates where there is a specific topic, they make a reasoned argument, and then spend time addressing each others points and questions, academic style. Of course, this would rely on the public being interested, which a significant chunk are not. Another issue is that money rules the game. It doesn't matter whether someone is Republican or Democrat, they are more than likely bought and paid for. This is actually the reason we've seen the rise of Bernie and Trump, their popularity is the backlash against this system of bribery so I suppose you could say people are waking up to that aspect.

To make a long post short, the primary issue is that within the bases that vote in the primaries no one wants to make the mental effort to understand a smarter candidate, they want someone they can identify with who is pushing an easy to understand message. Not someone with reasoned arguments and sophisticated discourse.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 1:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:38:32 -0500

I believe Bernie Sanders is a fine candidate. I agree with him on about 90% of issues and haven't had the opportunity to vote for someone over 60% in either party for several decades.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Mar 1 at 2016 2:36 PM

SSG James Arlington — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 14:36:52 -0500

Perhaps because good people don't wish to be subjected to brutality. And good guys (gals) finish last.