For the political observers here, what do you attribute to people turning away from politics?

Some days I think it would be so much easier to join the ranks of people who are able to ignore politics in America.


But what really baffles me is how our parties really seem to shy away from being a true party of the people. Yes, the Democratic Party (between the two) is the closest we have to that, which is the reason I stick with it, but it seems to me if a party would really become a party with the concerns and need of the everyday American at the forefront, then that party would remain a dominant party.

So, what do the political observers here feel are the main reasons Americans turn away from the political process?

I really don't know. Politics, for me, is like a sport.

Far more interesting than a friggin' baseball game or a football match.

:shrug:

elections are rigged, "debates" are a scam, we have no media to speak of...

The Sharron Angle expose reveals much about what is considered the "political process"--we deserve much better opposition, but no doubt she was selected by the corporations to represent their interests. Just like Bush was...

Congress is a farce...
The Supreme Court is a farce...

As a friend from France once told me, "we in the USA have the illusion of democracy.

The corporations rule us...pure and simple.

"The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre."

In a word: Frustration.

and check out. They see that big money has all the influence and all the input and correctly deduce that their opinion doesn't matter.

its their DIVIDE AND FOOL MODE

causes anguish and discomfort....

becomes NUMBING to a lotta peeps

soon they tire of squawking....return to NFL or whatever

The GOP wants this to happen...they work at it...they pay for it to happen..lE Rash ass and his 400 million salary...

Failure to see behind the face of government. Meaning all of the little important appointments, directives, etc. And they wouldn't happen under most Republican administrations.

the horrible MSM today, and Americans have had it too good since WWII. Many don't even know the unions and democrats brought them many of the benefits left in this country they enjoy. I also think many Americans are very self-centered and egotistical, if it doesn't bother me then I don't give a damn, they and their family are detached...

And many are more than willing to be led by the nose, falling for all of the propaganda, RW rhetoric and religious crap that are used as hot buttons to promote agendas least in the best interests of many Americans.

Frankly, IMO, the typical American is pretty lame when it comes to paying attention to the future of this country. They often vote in the wrong people for the wrong reasons and whole heartily support USA, Inc. And then sit around and complain.

feel like they get screwed no matter who is in control. the leadership of both parties have more in common with each other than they do with the rank&file in their own party.

it's easier to just say to hell with it, they're going to do whatever they want whether or not i get involved. why should i waste any of my limited personal time caring about this shit. me caring or even voting won't change anything.

divisiveness in this country is appalling. I've only got a few years left to live and sometimes I wonder if I really want to hasten it with this endless stress, but yet I continue.

They have their churches, FOX news, hate radio, the NRA and their redneck peer groups to keep reinforcing them. Not to mention the GOP itself that cultivates their anger and promises results they can not and will never deliver on.

Democrats have very little going for them in that regard. Even if they did it's not in their nature to stay pissed. We're lovers not haters and don't enjoy constant aggravation. We can only stay mad for so long and then we just tune out.

Fuck em.

majorities in congress and the Obama presidency. Many people are not so imopressed with the reality.
Seeing Democrats working hard for moderate republican approval while spitting on labor and the left makes a lot of people think hard about whether they actually nave a voice in American politics...it seems they do not.


mark

n/t

for starters. I must admit to all of these feelings when regarding our political picture.

Money has almost all the influence in politics and without it your voice is minuscule..You can write all the letters you want but if you can't apply some grease you just don't count..

As well as how slimy so many politicians are.

Let's face it: we have to have a lot of dedication to stay devoted to following, and hoping to influence, politics.

human needs.

I think four different groups get counted amongst the "apathetic". The smallest of them are truly apathetic. The rest are just tired of the same old games and it depends on their social position just how they are being played.

Middle class folks have lacked representation for some time. Our government only responds to the neediest and greediest.

Both sides continue to pander to corporations and wealthy donors while millions are about to see everything they have turn to dust due to chronic unemployment and evaporating UI benefits. It's not so much the Republicans I'm angry about because, after all, they are Republicans and that is just how they are. It's the Democrats I'm thoroughly disgusted with. Harry Reid is currently at the top of my shit list.

I'm to the point where I'm going to concentrate only on the politicians who support ME and screw the rest. I'm lucky I have Al Franken and Keith Ellison to represent me. If it weren't for them, I'd have dropped out by now.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

1. they don't know who to trust

2. once involved they see that it can become toxic and intense - see Left/Right wing blogs

3. they don't think they can change anything, but if they don't stay involved, nothing will change

I'm sure you will get plenty of reasons, but there is no good excuse to not engage in politics. The parties will not change until people pay attention, get educated on the issues and start voting IN their interests - long term interests. And none of that will change until the media starts doing its job.

The slog of day after day watching this mess.

Thus, they likely never heard or read Plato's observation:

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

And if they don't know that one, it's highly unlikely they ever heard or read:

"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs, is to be ruled by evil men."

get the pretty much the same thing, no matter who is in power.

The lobbyists own state legislatures and Congress and most people see it.

And some families have no time to follow current events because they are bone tired from hard work.

When neither candidate is anything but a mouthpiece for the powerful elite, there is no point in voting, right? But why don't we just find our own representatives? Go to www.electexperts.webs.com and help start a nonpartisan movement to elect experts in scientific disciplines relevant to governance to represent you.

People have their limits. They are just being hit in larger numbers these days.

The first thing you have to do if you are serious about politics in this country is ignore the dog and pony show and pay attention to what is really going on, and that is all about money and power and who gets it and who does not. If you buy into the public political drama, they will take your money and waste it and give you squat in return.

they just listen to each other and their bankbooks.

1) just the "boob tube" factor;

2) that, in turn, fostered a lot of bad habits of passive non-engagment in many walks of life, not just politics; and

3) Money. TV ads are still the most effective way of spreading a political message, and was even moreso in the past few decades. That costs a lot of money, and that has fostered a political culture favors "high-end" donors(bribers).

For me, it's the good coping, bad coping of America by the two political parties.

Basically they think participating in the political process is a waste of time because the game is rigged and the Little Guy has no real say.

.... people turn away because IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. No matter who you elect THE WARS GO ON, the BANKSTERS FUCK EVERYBODY WITH IMPUNITY, not one god damned thing changes.

You'd have to be insane to think your vote is going to change jack shit.

think about things. Most of the people don't like to think about anything that doesn't directly affect them day to day. And politics doesn't SEEM to affect them day to day. Of course, we know that it DOES affect them, but they don't think so. Ergo, lack of interest.