To quote Noam Chomsky's discussion of public opinion and public policy in his 2006 book Failed States:
A large majority of the public believe that the United States should accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the World Court, sign the Kyoto protocols, allow the United Nations to take the lead in international crisis, and rely on diplomatic and economic measures more than military ones in the "war on terror." Similar majorities believe the United States should resort to force only if there is "strong evidence that the country is in imminent danger of being attacked," thus rejecting the bipartisan consensus on "preemptive war" and adopting the rather conventional interpretation of the UN Charter reiterated by the UN's High-level Panel of December 2004 and the UN World Summit a year later. A small majority of the population even favors giving up Security Council vetoes, so that the United States would follow the UN's lead even if it is not the preference of the US state managers. On domestic issues, overwhelming majorities favor expansion of government programs: primarily health care (80 percent), but also funding for education and Social Security. Similar results on domestic issues have long been found in these studies conducted by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations (CCFR). As noted, other mainstream polls report that large majorities support guaranteed health care, even if it would raise taxes. Not only does the US government stand apart from the rest of the world on many crucial issues, but even from its own population.I refuse to support this system and add to the illusion of its legitimacy. I won't vote.
5 comments:
I agree with your dire assessment of the "democracy" in this country and I share in Mr. Chomskey's apparent bewilderment at how the American people continually allow their government to align itself so opposite to their own beliefs on the important issues of our time. I believe that the federal government behaves immorally on a daily basis and that for the good of the American people (and the world, for that matter) we desperately need a change.
I guess I disagree on how that is best achieved. By refusing to vote, you're refusing to endorse the federal government? Do you still pay taxes? Do you still use the roads and the fire department that some of that tax money pays for? I feel like all of those things are "endorsing" the federal government in some way.
I guess I still some value in voting. While all the candidates will undoubtedly support the status quo that is Amercian foreign policy (though none in the near future will do so as brazenly and foolishly as our current president has), I do believe that individual candidates can make marginal, yet important, differences in the lives of the American people. Which ones will appoint judges to the supreme court that suppress a woman's right to choose, or continue this asinine belief that two men being married will weaken the country somehow? Which candidates will work harder to finally overthrow the evil health insurance companies (and maybe only because fewer insurance companies have contributed to their campaign) and realize that health care is something a government should be proud to supply its people? I think that these are differences worth voting for in an, otherwise crappy, selection of candidates.
It's depressing that elections in this country are, well, such a depressing affair.
Thanks for your comment. To clarify I'm saying that by refusing to vote I'm refusing to endorse the election process.
I'd like to refuse to endorse the federal government in its entirety, though it is almost impossible to complete avoid it. I just do the best I can. I've addressed the income tax issue before (here and here), basically I haven't work in a while and I'm in the process of moving out the country. I try to avoid various other things I don't approve of, but the basic needs of life make it hard to fully accomplish that.
I do see that the marginal differences between candidates can make some differences in people's lives. I understand that this presents a tempting reason to vote. But I think that by doing so you give up and accept a terrible offer , when by holding out you have a chance to get a better one.
Think of voting as a negotiation with a salesman. If you say from the start that you'll definitely buy from him at the best price he offers you, you've given away all of your best leverage. The salesman no longer has to consider your interests.
Adspar I'd like to see a post on what the options are for people who, like yourself, have principled objections to the laws they are subjected to. I know you're moving to Canada (and believe me, I have a lot of respect for someone who's really willing to move rather than support a regime they don't agree with), but I have the suspicion (given your recent anarchist bent) that Canada won't really scratch your political itch (even though it will be much better). What does one do when there is no nation (or region for non-statists) where one can go to that is well-aligned with one's own political ideals?
I understand your reasons for not voting, but I hope you are only focused on national and possibly state offices. At the local level there are good honest people who run for office because they believe they can make things better.
In the 80s when my kids were in school I was a PTA president (for 5 years) and spent a lot of time getting to know the school board and county council members. For the most part they were citizens like us who believed they had a philosophy that would make the schools or the county better. It was a great learning experience. I learned that politics works at the local level IF enough people get involved and vet the candidates.
That relatively brief exposure to politics at the local level makes me less willing to throw my hands in the air and give up.
Mox - I've addressed your question in the next post.
Trakker - Indeed, as I indicated in the introduction to this series of posts, my comments apply to national level, and possibly state. I agree with you that local elections have value, sometimes a great deal. Your experience with the PTA and local politicians sounds quite interesting.
Post a Comment