[300 word Letter
to the Net]
We are experiencing political instability. This at a time
with social inequality that is worse than some third-world countries; poor
economic resiliency due to large private and public debt; bank executives taking
risks at public expense; and diminishing natural resources. Today’s politicians
won’t work together to solve these problems. Sometimes people in power have no
clear plan on how to govern. The clue is when they rely mostly on ideology and simple,
but often wrong, dogma. Ideologue politicians are ever present; however,
political instability is rare. Numerous intelligent people have forwarded
reasons for this instability.
First, the baby boom generations through their selfishness, irresponsibility,
and sheer size are straining the country. From the time they entered school,
they’ve pushed systems for their benefit and ambitions often with little regard
for others. They can’t be fully blamed, as many have diminished cognitive
abilities due to leaded gasoline poisoning and high drug use.
Second, journalism has diminished. For example, he who
watches Fox News is less informed than he who watches nothing. Third, our
primary election system promotes partisans over leaders that would govern for the
common good. Primary election voters are generally more politically active and
radical than the general population; therefore, partisans generally win in this
system.
Any solutions? The baby boomer generations will fade with
time. Albert Camus, a journalist and philosopher, said, “A free press can be
good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be
anything but bad.” Thus the solution on degraded journalism falls to us. We need
to recognize that “news” is something that those in power want suppressed – the
rest might be propaganda. Finally, establish an open primary system where the
top two candidates, regardless of party, go to the general election. This approach
appears to have reduced partisanship elsewhere.
