How Did We Get Here?
THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH OUR SYSTEM – No Competition in Politics.
We encourage competition in business, but not in politics. Our current political system is a duopoly comprised of two parties, and the one thing they agree on is that they should make it difficult for independent and third party candidates to win.
The two parties have created a primary system that often rewards the most extreme candidates in each party because the people who donate money are the ones with strong beliefs about an issue. Few candidates win primaries by claiming to be moderates who can reach across the aisle.
THE SECOND PROBLEM WITH OUR SYSTEM – Corporate Money and Oligarch Money.
The Supreme Court’s decision in The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United held that corporations have the same First Amendment rights as people and that they may therefore spend unlimited sums to support or oppose a candidate. Our Constitution gives people the right to vote – not corporations. Citizens serve in our armed forces – not corporations. But Citizens United effectively allows corporations to buy elections by spending unlimited amounts to support or oppose a candidate.
The problem is not just corporate money. The notion that individuals have a right to give unlimited donations to candidates in the name of free speech also threatens our democracy. Elon Musk handing out $1 million checks to voters is a perversion of our Constitution.
THE THIRD PROBLEM WITH OUR SYSTEM – Concentration of Media Power and the Black and White Thinking it Rewards.
There is a concentration of media power in America like never before. There are fewer independent news sources, making it harder for diverse viewpoints to be heard.
It wasn’t that long ago that the networks kept their news departments separate from their for-profit programming. But those days are gone. Today media outlets compete for viewers and readers to make money. To increase their numbers, they sensationalize many stories. Everything is “breaking news” and we’re in a perpetual news cycle. The system does not allow candidates to offer reasoned responses to tough questions; rather, it encourages black and white thinking and forces politicians to speak in five second sound bites. The news stations reward the politicians who say the most outrageous things because outrageous statements attract viewers.
Politicians use undefined words and meaningless phrases to divide us. Complex issues confront us, but today’s “sound bite” media paradigm prevents us from truly exploring those issues and trying to reach a consensus on how to address them. Rather than apply artificial labels to ourselves and our neighbors, we should ask why politicians and the big money that funds them attempt to divide us and what we can do to promote intelligent discussion.
THE FOURTH PROBLEM WITH OUR SYSTEM – The party that wins by 1% gets 99% of the Power.
The Founders created a Constitution with three co-equal branches of government. But in today’s highly partisan climate Congress abdicates its responsibility when the party that controls Congress also controls the White House. Fearful of a primary challenge, our representatives stop asking what is best for America, what is right, or what is constitutional.
THE FIFTH PROBLEM WITH OUR SYSTEM – Us.
Too many of us have rewarded politicians who attempt to dumb us down with simplistic thinking. It’s understandable to some extent because most of us are busy and just trying to support our families. It’s easier to repeat a four-word catchphrase like “Make America Great Again” than it is to ask what that means or to study complex issues such as climate change or cryptocurrency. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “A well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy.” We must hold ourselves to a higher standard. One way to do this is for us to start questioning the simplistic thinking our leaders and the for-profit news media offer us, and for us to start asking better questions. For example:
When was America great? What made it great?
If America is not great now, why is that?
Is there a consensus on what would make America great again?
If there is a consensus, what do we need to do to achieve those goals?
We must resist the black and white thinking the politicians use to pit neighbor against neighbor. It’s not true that every American is either a “fascist” or a “socialist;” there are plenty of us in the middle. America’s founders dared to question authority and propose big ideas. We should, too.
Why I might Run?
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Did you ever hire a supposed expert only to realize you could have done the job better yourself? That’s how I feel about our political leaders.
There was a time when Democrats and Republicans could work together. But today’s two party system often forces us to choose between two extremes. It forces party members to keep quiet when they disagree with their party leaders. It discourages healthy discussion.
There was a time when journalists sought the truth no matter what. Today’s for-profit media conglomerates often repeat what the politicians tell them. Too often truth is measured in clicks rather than facts. Controversy gets ratings; intelligent discussion does not.
I served my country and I love the values America stands for. I have three grown children. I fear my generation may be the first to leave its children an America that is worse than it was when I was young.
We’re better than this. Nebraskans want leaders who bring out the best in people rather than the worst. Most Nebraskans are good people who just want to care of their families, pay their bills, and have some fun now and then.
It would be easier for me to ignore what is going on in America. I could sit on my deck in Lemoyne with my pup, look out at the beautiful Nebraska Sandhills, and listen to music. But I am a veteran blessed with a tremendous education, unique communications skills, and diverse life experiences. Lately I’ve been thinking I may have a duty to try to help fix America. I may have a duty to go to Washington to create “good trouble” for rural Nebraskans because today’s leaders aren’t even asking the right questions. If I run, I will be the leader that says things other politicians won’t say. I’m a 67 year-old karate instructor. The only thing I fear is growing old and wishing I had tried harder to use my blessings to help the country I love.
What Do You Think?
I want to know what you think about the issues facing America and rural Nebraskans. I want your thoughts about what I’ve written above. Please email me at markfornebraskaec@gmail.com and tell me what’s on your mind.