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WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?
Today I attended a Listening Tour stop for Organizing for America here in GR. Below the fold are some random thoughts that I've had over the past couple of days about the state of politics. I'm essentially preaching to the choir when I say these things - in fact, I might inadvertently insult your intelligence. Note that I'm only 21 and that I've closely followed politics since the 2000 election, when I was 12. Forgive the loose organization of these thoughts.
Anyway... When I learned about our structure of government in middle school, I was fascinated. Three branches. Members of Congress elected to make decisions on behalf of the people they represent. Separation of powers. Checks and balances. How neat - at least in theory.
Of course, they let us leave middle school without telling us that this is not how it's done in practice. Not that I blame them - the federal government is too complex for even most poli-sci majors to understand.
So here's my FP: Our American government is being run in very un-American ways.
Of course, President Obama and others are trying to rectify this, but we all know how much influence certain interests still have in Washington, overpowering the needs of the people our government is supposed to serve.
Of course, for all the influence big-moneyed interests have in Washington, each lawmaker still has the right to reject what they say. They can still vote to put people over greed.
So why don't many do that? Because they don't feel much pressure from back home. If these people in Congress knew that their political aspirations might well hinge on doing what's best for the people, then maybe we'd be able to get more common-sense legislation passed.
So why isn't there much pressure? Waaaaaaaaay too many people are grossly underinformed. People don't research issues and candidates, and the traditional media does about as well at accurately informing people about important issues as the Detroit Lions do at winning Super Bowls. And of course, not many activists take the message to the streets to gain widespread electoral support for necessary change. So a lot of people don't see the need to take action.
Again, it's kind of an obvious FP to mention on a blog like Daily Kos, but thankfully I haven't had many personal FPs lately. I'm done with school and getting back involved in the Kent County Dems. I had an interview for a job yesterday - I should find out in a week or so if I get it.
What about you? What's Your F*****g Problem?