Recently, I opened a post with the following question. “Lately, I’ve enjoyed watching the partisan politicians and pundits squirm, explaining the ‘stunning’ election of Scott Brown to the Senate seat long held by Ted Kennedy. That so many electoral experts miss the underlying meaning and what it foretells about the 2010 midterm election is equally exciting to witness. Throw in the complete misunderstanding of the Tea Party and its enthusiasm and I’m left wondering does anyone in DC get it? A Republican resurgence?”
Today, I’m wondering aloud. Imagine if for just a moment, that the underlying theme of both the Tea Party movement and the results of the Massachusetts election were more of a wakeup call to you and I, the electorate, more then it was to the elected. What if the message, the challenge is for us, not for them?
While both the Dems and the GOP busy themselves spinning the reason(s) for the “voter backlash” what if we were to turn the tables and use the rising energy to our advantage? What if, given the mood of late, we kept the Dems and the GOP on the ropes? We kept the political punches and jabs coming, and to quote Muhammed Ali, “rope-a-dope.” I know it sounds crazy but what if we kept up the pressure on the established and entrenched politicians and political parties, and used our collective advantage to finally get them to tap out?
Now, I’m not suggesting a third party. Not terribly helpful in this day and age. I am however suggesting and alternative political platform, one that politicians and would-be politicians alike would have to officially endorse and contractually agree to support the will of the electorate. Insane, I know.
Scott Brown ran for the Senate as a “NO” vote on health-care. Suppose, just for a second, that we started to identify those individuals willing to run FOR something, say term limits, open primary elections at the state and federal levels, a flat tax, a long overdo line-item veto for the President or to open the Federal Reserve to full disclosure and transparency? I know it’s lunacy to imagine, but what if we found those visionaries that would stand for free trade, to champion states rights or to enact real reform for health-care and make the HMO’s compete across state lines, that exposed campaign finance reform for what it truly is?
I know, I’m mad, unhinged, certifiable. But let’s say we make the term “career politician” and oxymoron.
It’s time for a smack-down. Instead of being talked-down to, we will finally tell them where to go. No more one way streets. We become the power brokers. We’ve got them in the cage, let’s keep them there.
No more Contracts for America.
How about a Contract From America?
Comments
Richard.
Thank you for your post. I enjoy your site. http://www.ballot-access.org
You are in favor of open primaries, but there are so many different meanings attached to that term, I wonder which kind of open primary. The kind that is on the ballot in California in June this year would only cement the power of incumbents to get re-elected even more than is already the case. It was used in Louisiana for congressional elections 1978 through 2006. In all those years, only one incumbent member of either house of Congress was ever defeated for re-election (not counting 1992, when in two districts two incumbents had to run against each other due to redistricting). But when Louisiana switched to semi-closed primaries for congress, in 2008, two incumbent members of Congress were defeated.
So Brian – when you throwng your ‘hat’ into the ring – then you can make ‘em, “tap out” as suggested??
You’ll have my vote. I am definitely tired of the Us v. Them, R vs. D, when underneath they all seem to be the same….More people I talk to, except those on the extreme edges, express the same disillusonment w/ the disconnect/discord of the political climate.
ND in ND
I would say the first item of business is to vote out all the incumbents in office today. Then, start selecting people based on what they stand for, not what they oppose. A large part of the problem today is the entrenched politicians with their special interests, special privileges, special incomes, etc. Removing them from their special class, making them subject to the laws they have passed will be a good way to start the process of true change.