Tag: politics voting plutocracy campaigning
By Scarabus, Section Diaries
Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011 at 05:58:16 PM EST
Tags: politics voting plutocracy campaigning (all tags)
Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2011 at 05:58:16 PM EST
Tags: politics voting plutocracy campaigning (all tags)
Lindsay Graham says people in Wisconsin shouldn't complain or act surprised, because Scott Walker is just doing what he promised during the campaign. Others have responded, "Oh no he didn't!" I'd say that whether he promised or not is merely a side issue. Specifically, what matters is whether this is a good thing to do or a bad thing, regardless of what Scott said during the campaign. Especially since Scott's approach here might very well become a template for more of the same in other states.
One of the issues that matter more generally is what this shows about the way we elect public officials. Just one example: Over the course of a long campaign a candidate's platform is distilled to a series of catch-phrases and talking-points. These talking-points are then repeated ad infinitum. Voters recognize that, and perhaps subconsciously their minds say, "Hey! We've been here and heard this. Yawn." After all, as I understand it, the brain evolved to respond more to novelty than to stasis. (I'll find documentation and add it. Suggestions welcomed.)
In other words, candidates might very well make promises during a campaign, but that doesn't mean the promises are being heard.
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