Reply #61: Fundamental correction: we have not turned our representatives into rulers, but our parties. [View All]

We are told over and over again that the one and only thing that matters is that we elect Democrats. It does not matter how corrupt our party's candiates are; it does not matter how holden they are to corporate interests; it does not matter how well they represent our values or whether they are willing to promote the party's platform. The one and only thing that does matter is that they have a 'D' after their names. Over and over again, we are directed not to think for ourselves and instead be good sheep and do as we are told.

And sadly, that is what the vast majority of us do. We have given up the sovereignty of being a citizen in a democracy and instead become a rubberstamp to the party leaders. Just look at the primary race: Most everyone here on DU has expressed great admiration for Dennis Kucinich, we have put him far in the lead on the fun drive. But come the primaries and caucuses, what will we do? We will dismiss him because the party elders do not want him, and we will vote as ordered.

THAT is where the problem lies.