And this is why I hate politics

[kilroy]

Republicans: elected to fix the economy, going to use their power to lock down abortions. Every time I hear the word "mandate" I want to punch someone. Also if someone could explain how encouraging population increase is fiscally responsible, I'd love to hear it.

Why must everything be a package deal in this country?

Comments

[porran.livejournal.com]

Because we have a two-party, winner-takes-all system combined with an electorate that largely sees politics as "my team, right or wrong" rather than as a system that requires thought and a nuanced outlook in order to be a responsible participant. I don't know how (or if it's even possible) to change these two mutually-reinforcing factors, but I can't help but think that a proportional representation system among three or more parties might help us get to a place where more legislation is built by consensus rather than by ramming through bits of the agenda of the party that happens to hold a current majority. By eliminating the concept of congressional districts, it would also nicely do away with the entire ridiculous problem of gerrymandering...