After watching the Connecticut Democratic primary for US Senate unfold before my very eyes, and seeing many Ned Lamont-supporters calling for Senator Joe Lieberman to abandon his independent run for Senate on the grounds that Connecticut’s voters have spoken, I am outraged. Beyond simple anger, I am beginning to realize how truly undemocratic many political processes are in this country.
First, primaries often decide who gets to run for office in our country. That’s a problem in a state like Connecticut, where 40% of voters are independents. There are more independents here than Democrats or Republicans. Why is it that we independents and third-party members almost lost any say over whether Senator Lieberman can retain his seat or not? After all, it was independents and Republicans who are responsible for giving him his seat in the first place. The same goes for ousted Republican Representative Joe Schwarz up in Michigan. Isn’t it reasonable to expect that Democrats and independents there might have re-elected him, despite his support of stem cell research? Evidently, they have no say over their own elected officials, due to the party system.
Georgia seems to have a pretty fair system, as voters can request any primary ballot, regardless of what party they belong to. Why isn’t that the law of the land in America? The attitude that elected officials have a primary responsibility to their party members, rather than to their constituents as a whole is inappropriate and partisan.
The two major parties have undue influence over the political system. Is it really unreasonable to ask that any party that appears on the ballot, such as the Greens, the Libertarians, the Concerned Citizens, the Socialist Workers, the Working Families and Independents, be included in debates and public forums? An informed electorate is a worthy one. As long as the American system is made up of politicians appointed by the parties, and not citizen-statesmen elected from the general population, democracy is a hollow sentiment.
Next up on my list of undemocratic procedures is the antiquated and aristocratic Electoral College. Three presidential hopefuls, Andrew Jackson (he eventually won in another race), Samuel Tilden and Al Gore were each denied victories, despite having had won the popular vote. The Electoral College effectively means that Texas Democrats, California Republicans and third-party voters everywhere may as well just stay home. Why a candidate who wins by one vote in a state has as many votes as a candidate four years earlier who won every vote is totally beyond me.
English-only ballots are also a problem. Don’t get me wrong, I support making English the national language. However, most non-English ballots are actually distributed to native-born citizens, be they American Indians (really, the first democratic inhabitants of the continent), the illiterate or others who have difficulty completing a traditional ballot. The right to vote is the most important we have. That language barriers should prevent someone from having a role in democracy is unconstitutional.
Inaccessibility is another major issue. Despite federal legislation, most polling places in America feature voting machines that are not accessible to people with mobility impairments (including yours truly), sensory impairments or other disabilities. In other places, people who are visually-impaired must tell someone their vote in order for it to be cast. This is not the private, secret and independent voting guaranteed to all Americans. Options like telephone and electronic voting have to be considered.
Last but not least, where are the grassroots movements? Have we ever had a national referendum on an issue? Although politicians like to think of themselves as the most perfect expression of the will of the people, I like to think of a vote as the most perfect expression of the will of the people. Is it really too much to let citizens vote on abortion, gay marriage, tariffs, gun control, stem cell research and other hot-button issues? It’s clear enough that we have strong opinions.
America has several more steps to take to make sure that it is a democratic republic, and not just a republic. These are your votes. Make sure that they actually count for something.
Posted by Matt Cavedon 