There’s a smugness that has overwhelmed our political system.
It’s the patronizing, know-it-all, self-congratulating, self-important smugness of our elected officials. We want to know why they vote the way they do. Their reply . . .
“It’s complicated.”
There are huge majorities of Americans, crossing all party lines and affiliations, who agree on a number of issues:
• End the war in Afghanistan and bring the troops home
• Reduce the military budget
• End oil subsidies and other forms of corporate welfare
• Make the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes
• Eliminate tax loopholes and incentives for sending jobs overseas
• Leave Social Security alone
• Leave Medicare alone
• Label foods that contain GMOs
• Raise the minimum wage to at least $10 per hour
Yet, consistently our elected representatives __ on both sides of the aisle __ vote against these things. And judging by what we read in the press, they will continue doing so.
Why?
“We are professionals. You see, when drafting legislation there’s so much to consider. You couldn’t possibly understand. It’s too complicated.”
Sorry. I don’t buy it.
Here’s what I say to this blather:
“Mr. Elected Official, I’ll tell you what’s too complicated . . . voting for YOU is too complicated.”
“You say one thing and do another. You make all sorts of high-sounding, pleasant enough speeches when you want my vote. You make me believe you are actually going to do the job I am electing you to do. Then, you vote the opposite. You vote the way some rich corporate donor, some big-money Wall Street executive, some lobbyist who showers you with favors and campaign contributions tells you to. You vote the way THEY want you to vote.”
“So, Mr. Elected Official, after the next election, don’t ask me why I didn’t vote for YOU. Don’t come crying and pleading with me for an explanation. You see, when voting for someone, there’s so much to consider. You couldn’t possibly understand.”
“It’s too complicated.”
