Americans, by nature, are an opinionated group, particularly when it comes to politics.
2016 Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders (Vermont) and Hillary Clinton (New York)
Whether you are Republican, Democrat or independent, your social, economic and familial background plays a crucial role in shaping and forming your political views.
And so, Americans will once again tap into their political views and ideals during another presidential campaign season.
Just when we thought the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections were filled with enough intense media coverage, commentary and drama, the 2016 presidential election looks to be even more politically spectacular.
We can expect greater degrees of succinct, underdeveloped political statements, questionable promises and defensive and offensive political attacks.
This evening the Democratic presidential candidates will go head-to-head in their first political debate in Las Vegas.
The Republican presidential candidates have already engaged in two debates, giving the public the opportunity to learn more about the likes of Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina.
The trajectory of American politics has changed over the past 50 years. Gone are the days when Americans looked up to their elected officials and were inspired by them.
A number of factors have led to the change, including the influx of obscene amounts of money into campaigns and the political process, the advent of careerism in politics and the self-preservation statements and policy stands many politicians take.
Rather than voting and representing the interests of their constituents, many elected officials today are led by and vote based on public opinion polls, lobbyists and wealthy, generous donors.
Politics was never intended to be based on careerism. Thomas Jefferson in a 1776 letter to Edmund Pendleton laid out the idea of an electoral and representative politics based on participation, yet restraint; an idea America has sadly opted to abandon.
“To make them [representatives] independent I had proposed that they should hold their places for nine years and then go out (one third every three years) and be incapable forever of being re-elected to that house. My idea was that if they might be re-elected, they would be casting their eye forward to the period of election (however distant) and be currying favor with the electors and consequently dependent on them. My reason for fixing them in office for a term of years rather than for life was that they might have an idea that they were at a certain period to return into the mass of the people and become the governed instead of the governor, which might still keep alive that regard to the public good that otherwise they might perhaps be induced by their independence to forget. Yet I could submit, though not so willingly, to an appointment for life or to anything rather than a mere creation by and dependence on the people.” -Thomas Jefferson
A rather novel idea–the citizenry getting involved in the political process, and not for life!
Despite its shortcomings, American electoral politics still has an opportunity to offer to the populace honor. It’s only through your voice, your participation and your understanding that a difference–even small–can be undertaken.
We are already beginning to see a new breed of presidential candidates emerge, with public opinion polls indicating support for the non-establishment candidates; a sign America might be ready for even more political change.
How will the 2016 presidential campaign and election further shape your views, and the status and health of America?
