Unrepresentative Representation
Larry F. a senior bus driver for the Village of Mamaroneck, does not support either candidate. He made this very clear when asked about the “Race for the White House.” This dissatisfaction is widely felt throughout the nation as November 8th approaches. Never before have so many Americans been so pessimistic about the two nominees running for president. Voting is supposed to be a way for citizens to have their voice heard in government, but this election many voters feel worn out.
The Pew Research Center recently conducted polls, asking voters how they felt about this election. The results are downright depressing; when asked to express their feelings about the 2016 presidential campaign, a staggering 57% reported being frustrated, 55% disgusted and 43% scared. Only 31% expressed any interest in this election, and the percentage of people feeling optimistic or excited was a meager 15% and 10% respectively. There has never been this much negativity in any election. The polls demonstrate that the majority feels boxed in, and many voters feel like they are being forced to make the choice between the lesser of two evils. The President is supposed to represent the citizens; they are supposed to be the voice of the people. Instead, many in this country are voting with disappointment.
Larry F says he is voting for Trump even though he doesn’t support him. According to Larry “Trump never claimed to be an angel.” That’s the bar he sets. This disclaimer allows Larry to discount the vulgar things said by Trump. Larry provides no reason to support Trump except that he’s not Hillary and not part of the “political machine.” Larry has hated Hillary, since she has entered politics,“She’s [Hillary] just a part of that DNC.”. Larry isn’t a voter inspired by change, or either of the candidates. His motives lie in dissatisfaction.
Jack R. an employee of the Mamaroneck Town Hall in Recreation, feels the same discontent. When he was asked the same question posed to Larry, he responded hesitantly, “I’m voting for Hillary because I think she is the lesser of two evils. I would’ve voted for Bernie; I would’ve been much happier with that. I think Hillary is a liar and she just really wants to get into power. I’m also wary of another Clinton in the White House, but I can’t support Trump who says the most ridiculous things. He has no policy, he says racist things, he says horrible things about women and I just can’t vote for someone like that, so i guess i have to vote for Hillary.” Jack is voting for a woman whose basic honesty he doubts. This is because, no matter how untrustworthy Clinton may be, she is not Trump.
This Sophie’s Choice attitude is a bipartisan issue. If either candidate becomes President, it will be almost impossible for them to unite the nation. People from every tax bracket, every race, every gender, every sexuality and every age are sensing the negativity and feeling concern for the future. Even internationally, Clinton and Trump are being recognized for the brutality of the election. From Germany to China, the world is looking on this election with incredulity. America, the world leader in democracy, is being looked down on by China.
Given the air of displeasure that can be felt during this election, it is little surprise that “American Pride” is at a new low. The idea that America’s future is looking positive is all but extinct. When both parties’ candidates don’t represent the “people,” democracy has failed. This is a bipartisan issue. Democracy is based on the idea that power comes from the consent of the governed (part 1), and if no side represents the governed, there can be no consent. There is one phrase that sums up the feelings of the election, as Jack put it, “I’m voting for the lesser of two evils.”
There is often a third response to the question that was posed to Jack and Larry as well. As a post worker named Marty put it, “I don’t plan on voting. I don’t feel any of the people running are worth voting for.” Dr. Andolino D.D.S. stated, “I am undecided because I do not believe either candidate is worthy of being president.” Lisa doesn’t know who she is voting because she doesn’t “care for either candidate.” When asked to elaborate she said, “I don’t think he [Trump] is presidential at all, and she [Clinton] is very deceitful. I can’t believe our country couldn’t do better coming up with two people.” No matter how one looks at this, these feelings are an issue. Joe Liberti, a high school AP government teacher said, “The reality is voting matters. There is no such thing as a wasted vote.” Voting is a civic duty of the citizen (part 2) and without citizens voting, democracy can not work.
The American government is a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is a government that derives its right to rule from the majority. It means that the people of the United States must take an active part in the government. If the people do not take an active role in government, then the last part of that statement can not come true: the idea that the government is made for the betterment of its people. The President of the United States represents the people of the nation. If he or she does not fulfill this requirement, then everything our founding fathers fought for will have failed. It is imperative, for the fate of the nation that one of two things must happen: the people must accept the new leader, or in four years time a change must be made.
People like Larry and Jack deserve to have a say in government. If this becomes the new norm, if they leave the polls shaking their heads every year, government has failed.
