Politicians Really Don't Care What You Think
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
August 16, 2015 8:16am CST
A study of twenty years worth of data done by Princeton University proves that the opinions of the average US voter mean diddly-squat to elected politicians. In fact, 90% of the time, public opinion has absolutely no influence over the laws that they pass or how they vote in Congress. Influence seems to be mainly bought by those who can contribute heavily to election campaigns.
I doubt that many Americans will be surprised to hear this.
I think the only real way to combat this is to hold every politician up to scrutiny with periodic reviews of things like promises kept and the voting records in Congress.
I doubt this is a uniquely American problem, though. I imagine that people in most countries feel that the politicians are not to be trusted.
If you are American, what do you suggest we do to make elected representatives actually represent us instead of big business?
If you are in another country, do you feel your elected lawmakers are working in your best interests or their own?
Home Sign up for our FREE Daily Email Newsletter Corruption is Legal in America Does The Government Represent The People Video May 18, 2015 "Information Clearing House" - "Represent.Us" - Princeton University study: Public opinion has ?near-zero? impac
8 people like this
11 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
16 Aug 15
In other news, the sun rose in the east today. Scientists baffled.
Hey there, Miss Rollo, long time no see.
What can we do? Probably not much. I would like to see a lot more states and municipalities with recall measures. I would also like to see states enacting laws (yeh, I know, xfahctor wants more laws??) that prohibit politicians from running from gaining ballot access for re-election if they have committed a felony while in office.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 Aug 15
Hey @xfahctor, good to see you here. It's kind of crazy to think we even need a law to prohibit politicians who've committed felonies in office from running again. There are a handful of members of Congress that I would keep, but the rest of 'em? Throw the bums out. We need better politicians and a smarter electorate. Sigh. I know - will never happen.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
17 Aug 15
It is more or less the same in India, may be more ...Politicians here are a class apart and with a high rate of corruption and scams people are taken into consideration only during election time since hey need voters to bring them back into power ! It is a pathetic situation ..
1 person likes this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
17 Aug 15
@Rollo1 You know the system is such that decent people fear to join politics because they will not be able to survive, which is such a pity..I am not saying that there are no good politicians but they are not given any power nor are they able to function well because of the red tape involved ...
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
17 Aug 15
I think that this is a rule of the politicians not to care about the citizens. In the country I live, usually the people who try to make something for others are being "eliminated", meaning that they get out of business in the shortest amount of time. They are some rare exceptions, though.
1 person likes this
it's an ancient human condition, the 1 with the most power/money/influence will be listened to regardless of what the masses want or need.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
17 Aug 15
I am thoroughly disgusted with American politicians. I think we need more term limits, though some folks feel term limits will mean officials will depend even more on lobbyists for information. i think we need to elect people who are outside the establishment or who have a record of standing up to congressional leaders who ignore the electorate and do business as usual. Some in Congress do represent the people. Just not very many.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
17 Aug 15
I agree, there are a handful of people who are really interested in doing their jobs right. But the career politicians are the ones who have their own best interests in mind most of the time. I don't know about term limits as much as I think we should make Congress a part time job. It was never meant to take up the whole year, full time. The more time they have, the more they do, and we don't want half of it done.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
18 Aug 15
@bagarad Yes, the executive order dilemma is a problem. But it wouldn't be if anyone had the chutzpah to stand up and declare all of them unconstitutional as they are. The President can't make law just because Congress isn't in session, it's not his job.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
17 Aug 15
@Rollo1 I do agree with you on that. The laws we have now are selectively enforced if they are enforced at all,. Why do we need more. When Congress is in session, the people must beware. On the Other hand, when it's not in session, the President uses it as an excuse to issue more executive orders and make appointments without Senate approval.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
17 Aug 15
All that fanfare about speeches is really not necessary as the electorate would have already made up their mind regardless of what importance their opinions receive.
1 person likes this
@alphenor (686)
• Philippines
20 Aug 15
Politicians not caring for the masses is a global problem. As long as they're being paid huge salaries by basically attending the sessions, there will be no shortage of those crocodiles (Philippines's local terminology for such politicians) attempting to get a spot.
Try removing the high salary and let's see who will be the ones left. 
@UnkyGreggy (171)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 Aug 15
It seems the best thing to do is go to the source. Instead of going directly after the elected officials, perhaps going after the wealthy business men that buy these politicians with things that will hurt their pockets like boycotts.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 Aug 15
I don't think we can stop corruption by stopping the people with money, people with money will always exist. We don't cure obesity by banning cake. There's nothing wrong with cake, and there's nothing wrong with money, it's the person abusing that thing that causes the problem. The politicians we choose must be people who will say no to bribery. We need to change our politicians.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
18 Aug 15
Honestly the only thing politicians are concerned about is making money, name and fame. Their promises are blown away buy the wind in any direction they please..They never honor their word because they don't respect themselves. There will always be exceptions to the rule.. but most are this way.
