Which seems better, voter apathy, motivating turnout (and wanting one’s voice to count), or, believing, the US election is rigged anyway, and proceeds, with distrust of elected officials and the system in general? Unfortunately, only the middle option is positive! For many years, the former was a factor, in low turnout, etc. In recent years, however, there seems to be a dangerous trend, facilitated, to a great extent, by unproven claims, etc., especially, in the last four years, by President Trump. which states that when the votes do not support him, the process must automatically be rigged, and because he has so motivated his core supporters, it seems that this presents a clear and present danger to our American way of life. , and how we elect our public officials! With that in mind, unless we change certain things. to make the system work better and more effectively, both in reality and in our perceptions, our system of government and politics is in jeopardy. This article, therefore, will try, briefly, to consider, examine, revise, and discuss 7 common sense needs to change things for the better.
1. Refute Charges: Although Trump’s main supporters seem to prefer his version, to what appears to be reality/facts, it is important to refute these accusations, which is why most Americans are satisfied with this effort!
two. Clarify Efforts: It must be very clear to our citizens the efforts that are being made to protect the fairness and sanctity of our electoral process!
3. Bipartisan Participation: One of the most troubling aspects of President Trump’s many repeated and unsubstantiated claims/accusations is how members of his Republican Party have, by and large, lacked the courage to do the right thing and straighten it out. . It is one thing to support a candidate and want them to win, but it is quite another to allow any effort that harms this nation and what it stands for! To prevent this from happening again, there must be a bipartisan effort, to create rulesand standards, to serve all our citizens and the nation!
Four. Examine strengths and weaknesses: What’s positive about this election is, a lot of the concerns, about the security of our election process, after apparent Russian interference, in 2016, before Trump fired him, because he didn’t back up the president’s claims, a lot of government agencies, proclaimed , this was the safest election, in our history. To ensure greater confidence in the process, we must effectively use all strengths and address areas of weakness!
5. Check out the Electoral College: Before this election, there were two circumstances, in the XXI century, when the President was elected, despite losing the popular vote. Although the Founding Fathers determined that it was beneficial at the time to use an Electoral College, doing so today means that citizens in certain smaller states have disproportionately more influence/power than in other larger states. . How do you think this makes many voters feel, etc.?
6. Expenditure and duration of the campaign: Most other nations limit election campaigns to a much shorter period than ours! Excessive, uncontrolled campaign spending combined with this duration cannot serve the best interests of the nation!
7. Address false facts, from candidates: When these ads often contain more false facts than true, there has to be a better way! Wouldn’t it be better if we held political advertising to the same standards that we do commercial advertising?
There must be a better way to conduct our elections, and unless/until concerted, thorough, and well-considered efforts are used to do so, even more people will lose faith in our elections and the process! Wake up, America, and demand this be done, sooner rather than later!