More comments from "A different approach"

I'm so grateful for the great comments I got from my post "A different approach". I didn't respond to all of the comments directly but will, in this post, try to keep the conversation going.


What amazed me most about the comments is the wide range of perspectives it drew from all of you....and I think...maybe...that's a hint....



The very question, "Why do people vote the way they do?" evokes a galaxy of opionions and even with research from leading political scientists the anwer is still subject to debate.


But the bottom line is still this....the electorate consistantly votes against its own best interest...time and time again....whether they are mislead by the media (as alwayshope suggests) swayed by massive campaign advertising (reform of which melissam talks about) or whether they are following the charisma of the candidate (as Al suggests), the result is still the same....a one-way ticket to hell because of the choice.

Given these proclivities of the electorate, a politician is faced with some interesting choices. He/she can pander to the perceived whims of the electorate and put on the appropriate dog-and-pony show, knowing full well that its all bullshit....but convinced that "the end justifies the means."

Or

He/she can try to "play it straight" and honestly address issues, political and personal, in an earnest and forthright manner and "let the voters decide".

I think the first option is where 90% of us fall....

What do you think?