Desperate Choices

It has been over a decade since people thought the Congress was going an barely acceptable job (when they had a pathetic 40% approval rating).  In the last six years, it has gotten even worse, with the approval rating consistently less than 20%.  However, elected officials, from both parties, continued to get re-elected and act in ways that is unproductive for this country.  In the last presidential election, it was clear that people desperately wanted something different, anything but the status quo.  Now Steve Bannon is doubling down on this sentiment and trying to run his own candidates against incumbent Republicans.  Those incumbents are very upset and perhaps they should be thinking "well, I did nothing for the people, I knew they disapproved of me, I didn't try to change, I kept taking money from special interests, but I never thought people who have a choice other than me".  Sadly, this new choice comes from a political and social philosophy that is frightening.  It didn't have to be this way, it could have been new politicians that respectable and responsive to the needs of the country.  Any "alternative candidate" would be very popular.  The Democrats are actually in the exact same scenario.  Democratic elected officials are also very unpopular and aren't responsive to their constituents.  They take money from special interests, they approve budgets that spend ungodly amounts of our tax money on the military, the are not making progress on reducing poverty, and they are not investing in infrastructure or education.  Their leaders (Schumer and Pelosi) epitomize a "career politician" and are both unpopular. 

For decades, the political parties have dominated Congress.  They promoted members who raise a lot of money knowing that their seats would always be safe.  The number of uncontested elections is surprising high (both for primaries and the general election).  There is a unique opportunity for a new generation of politicians to get involved.  Unfortunately, that is easier said than done.  Running for election takes a lot of money and a vast team of supporters.  It is also a terrible experience for people for run, having their lives picked apart and being the target of brutal marketing campaigns. 

In desperate time, people make desperate choices. 

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