General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The "extreme left" didn't give us Trump. The path to hell was paved by [View all]eniwetok
(1,629 posts)Unlike modern democratic systems that give people the right to vote their conscience and get some representation for what they believe... and where there's civic equality in the vote so each votes weighs the same in terms of representation... our system is not just and antidemocratic mess, but primitive in comparison. In lacking those features the system provides very real DISincentives to voting... up to 49.9% of the votes mean nothing in a winner take all election... more in the case of the so-called spoiler effect where a split majority can lead to a minority candidate winning. In our system the those representing the MINORITY can govern... as we seen with the Bush and Trump Juntas... and with the antidemocratic Senate. Then there's the fact that ultra tiny minorities can block all reform. In this case corporate power can fill the vacuum. We're all brought up to believe our system was the work of genius, but it really makes a mockery of the concept of self-government. On some level the people know that yet can't reconcile that with the fact our system is supposed to be that great. In our system apathy is not an unreasonable response.