We've got a lot of nerve, trying to export "democracy" abroad when we no longer practice it at home.
"Chutzpah", I think our Jewish friends would call it.
For instance, in the US Senate, a simple majority is no longer considered a majority. No, now you need a "super" majority. Why? Just because the Republicans want it that way...or else they'll filibuster everything. Why? Because they still can. (We can thank, dear, trusting, simple minded Harry Reid for that one.)
OK, what about gun control? Having approximately 90% of the populace supporting some kind of new regulations should be enough, right? Au contraire, mon frere! The NRA doesn't want any changes and what the NRA wants the NRA gets. Wayne "A Gun Is A Tool And So Am I" LaPierre and his bags full of cash make sure of that.
Depending on how the questions are phrased, the majority of the American people also support abortion rights, gay marriage, green energy, sensible immigration reform, high speed rail, rebuilding the infrastructure, higher taxes for the rich, closing corporate tax loopholes, health care reform, cutting the defense budget, and a long list of other "progressive" actions.
So what's the problem? Guess.
That we are still arguing, and, as a result, stalemated over these issues is indicative of one thing:
Money trumps democracy almost every time. And the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case has only made the situation exponentially worse.
Forget all that one man one vote, land of the free, "We the People" nonsense.
Money trumps democracy almost every time.
That is the one thing we really should teach the kids in school. That and Mandarin.
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