2014 Midterm Elections outcome: what it says about democracy and politics around the world11/6/2014 “We took a thumping….” George W. Bush, following the 2006 Midterm Elections
The results of the 2014 Midterm Elections enthralled some, disappointed others, and left many more feeling just as apathetic as did before voting began. Even so, the outcome feels oddly familiar as it is very reminiscent of what happened in 2010, 2006, and 1998. This sense of Déjà vu is, unfortunately, likely to be an emerging pattern in election cycles throughout the entire world that reveals political dysfunction and unresponsive government is undermining faith in democracy. Due to the bipolar nature of America’s two-party system, as well as the takeover of the GOP and Democratic Party by the extreme Right and Left, the United States is caught in a vicious cycle where exuberate Americans, who are looking to government to offer some meaningful solutions to serious problems, vote in one party, which falls short thanks to the influence of extreme elements, then votes in the opposition party for change, which succumbs to the dysfunction of extremist politics, before the cycle starts again. Because the 2014 Midterm terms were never truly nationalized and the issues too often took a backseat to campaigns “against the other guy,” temptations to classically frame the outcome as a referendum on the President or the political parties is very limited. While it is true dissatisfaction and outright hatred of President Obama’s Democratic Party did inspire conservative-leaning voters to vote, the bulk of those who decided 2014 would have voted Republican anyway. What is most revealing is, therefore, low voter turnout. What it says is that American voters, particularly the young who strongly supported President Obama and the Democrats, did not see the value in voting, which means they do not see the political system working for them.
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The 2014 Midterms are far from historical, though what party wins the most Congressional contests could change history. For Americans, a lackluster political season of never-ending, superficial campaign ads, mailings, and emails, which were largely overshadowed by major global issues and rarely added any substance to the debate, is ending. Unfortunately, America and the rest of the world face mounting crises in desperate need of leadership, yet the campaigns of 2014 barely captured the attention of Americans and rarely offered any insights into a brighter future.
Although American voters are the ones who will decide whether Republicans or Democrats control the Senate, the reality that the United States is the most influential country in the world means the entire International Community has a stake in the 2014 elections. Clearly, Americans do not like foreigners influencing our elections and they should not, but it is also important for voters to understand the decision they make at the polls, if they to go the polls, does have major consequences that will impact the Nation and the world for years to come. As if the world is not a scary enough place with all the murders, rape, terrorism, killer diseases, government dysfunction, and economic problems in the news, Halloween is oddly embraced by people around the globe as a celebration of all things scary. Umbrella Revolution protesters could even be found dressed for a friendly fright as they face down the Chinese government. Ironically, the very holiday that makes light of violence falls on the last day of a month dedicated to fighting domestic violence. It also takes place just days before the next US election. (Considering Republicans are asking for voter support to block President Obama’s agenda while Democrats are campaigning on a platform of government doing something, the 2014 Midterm election is shaping up to be a frightening holiday. If Republicans take back the Senate, the government probably will become even more dysfunctional as an emboldened GOP will likely be thoroughly uncompromising when dealing with President Obama. If Democrats maintain control over the Senate, a hurt Republican Party may lead to more GOP House members willing to support the President. Unfortunately, individual Democratic candidates may have their own platforms addressing the issues of their constituents, but there is no unifying platform of solutions from which Democrats can create an agenda for the 114th Congress, which means the policies they may pursue might not be such a treat.) That said, this writer found himself just days ago wondering through a local “haunted mansion” with his head covered by a black bag. As I was guided through the dark with the aid of a rope and the screeches of menacing figures pushing and grabbing me, I could only smile thinking about how people I know, who are less “controlled” in their reactions, would respond to the very committed acting of my guides. |
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