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08-25-2010, 06:02 AM
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Location: North America
5,960 posts, read 5,336,202 times
Reputation: 1951
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If you don't like your representative or local politician, then vote him or her out of office.
If we have pretty much the same Congress after the election then that means that Americans must not be too unhappy about what is going on in Washington, D.C.
Right?  |
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08-25-2010, 06:15 AM
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Location: Flippin AR
5,512 posts, read 5,034,720 times
Reputation: 6236
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Wrong, wrong, wrong. The power of the incumbency is HUGE. I learned this from a friend who was mayor of a large city in Florida.
To break into office, you must have a ton of money, a sellable candidate (tall and thin who speaks authoritatively even if saying nothing) and a dissatisfied population.
The vast majority of people simply vote for the incumbent, who has the best name recognition. That person already has tons of money due to the power of the position (donors will make sure the politician who protects their interests get enough cash to win, and the taxpayer actually pays for mailings and other campaign activities).
Read about the "Incumbency Advantage" here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incumbency_advantage:
"Most incumbents who run for re-election get reelected. Since World War II, 90% of incumbents who ran for reelection were successful."
As an aside, our 2-Party system makes sure that no candidate that would upset the system even gets a chance to run. There's plenty of money in each Party to ensure that any candidates that would rock the boat is quickly vilified or ignored by the media, where voters get their information. |
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08-25-2010, 07:10 AM
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Location: Central Maine
4,697 posts, read 6,164,511 times
Reputation: 5043
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clb10
If you don't like your representative or local politician, then vote him or her out of office.
If we have pretty much the same Congress after the election then that means that Americans must not be too unhappy about what is going on in Washington, D.C.
Right? |
That's exactly right.
People may whine about the power of money and/or incumbency, but WE THE PEOPLE hold the ultimate power ... if we choose to use it.
I voted for, and approve of, and will work to keep in office my Representative and two Senators. If others want to replace them, let them gather a sufficient number of votes. It's that simple. |
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08-25-2010, 07:18 AM
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Location: The Republic of Texas
78,872 posts, read 44,081,872 times
Reputation: 18505
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Perfect example of term limits... FDR!!
Nuff said!
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08-25-2010, 07:24 AM
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12,934 posts, read 17,872,398 times
Reputation: 9103
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Generally, voters will re-elect the politicians who they feel are serving their district well. And sometimes those who are not, because throwing theirs out will cost the district seniority. Usually a member of Congress has to something pretty sleazy to get unelected. Here in IL, we have had plenty of those. Additional information: Rod Blagojevich served in Congress, but quit to run for Governor.
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08-25-2010, 07:30 AM
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28,589 posts, read 16,880,991 times
Reputation: 19197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clb10
If you don't like your representative or local politician, then vote him or her out of office.
If we have pretty much the same Congress after the election then that means that Americans must not be too unhappy about what is going on in Washington, D.C.
Right? |
Are you kidding.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The longer a politician is in power,the greater the "war chest" for funding and the greater "political clout" they gain.
One term- then out. Get the politicians out before they are taught to be well trained liars and cheats. |
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08-25-2010, 07:31 AM
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Location: Georgia, on the Florida line, right above Tallahassee
10,472 posts, read 15,279,909 times
Reputation: 6396
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No term limits, here. Votes? Oh, yeah - you get a vote.
Zimbabwe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Zimbabwe, if you vote wrong, they shoot you. |
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08-25-2010, 07:45 AM
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Location: Raleigh, NC
20,056 posts, read 17,622,299 times
Reputation: 3826
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When the incumbent is permitted to change the position of the goal posts just prior to the field goal (gerrymandering districts), is it any surprise they maintain power? The 4th district in NC was a potential Republican takeover until "Dr." Price changed the district to include progressive Chapel Hill and Durham. The Economist did a story on this a couple of years ago, but sadly it's registration content only.
The congressional elections: Pyongyang on the Potomac? | The Economist |
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08-25-2010, 07:49 AM
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Location: North America
5,960 posts, read 5,336,202 times
Reputation: 1951
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Quote:
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The vast majority of people simply vote for the incumbent
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Well, who's fault is that? 
If "the people" are not going to take a few extra minutes every two years to learn about the candidates then [bleep] 'em!
People should grow up, be adults and not depend on the government (via "term limit" amendments) to police the make-up of Congress. |
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08-25-2010, 07:51 AM
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Location: North America
5,960 posts, read 5,336,202 times
Reputation: 1951
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Quote:
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When the incumbent is permitted to change the position of the goal posts just prior to the field goal (gerrymandering districts), is it any surprise they maintain power?
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Agreed!
Gerrymandering is the REAL problem! |
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