Truth-Out: Bernie Sanders and the Limits of Electoral Politics

[Omaha Steve]

Sen. Bernie Sanders makes his way to his rally during the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson dinner. (Photo: Phil Roeder)


http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/33980-bernie-sanders-and-the-limits-of-electoral-politics


Thursday, 10 December 2015 00:00
By Michael Corcoran, Truthout | News Analysis

Presidential politics has long been a source of frustration for many left-wing activists. Organizers work tirelessly year-round in trying to raise consciousness and fight for social justice. But every four years, the country gets consumed and distracted by the presidential election - or what Noam Chomsky calls "a public relations extravaganza that only marginally deals with issues."

The formula is extremely predictable; the result, virtually always the same. Eventually the process comes down to a few wealthy, establishment candidates, funded by the same moneyed interests, who engage in extremely narrow debates filled with empty, poll-tested platitudes. Worse yet, the Electoral College, the primary schedule, voter ID laws and the influence of corporate money are among the many obstacles that serve to effectively disenfranchise millions of Americans from the process.

The corporate media, which profit greatly from a barrage of often misleading political ads, can hardly be bothered to cover anything other than this odious and undemocratic spectacle. Their coverage of this shameless pageant typically amounts to interviewing campaign staffers and party consultants, all the while fetishizing the voting process as if it were the only type of civic engagement that matters.

Without fail, these pundits and candidates speak as if this election is the most important in generations. Maybe a year (or less) after a victor is declared, the next election cycle begins to dominate the national discourse. And the cycle continues.

FULL story at link.

[malokvale77]

1. Yup. nt

[Betty Karlson]

2. Very thoughtful article.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[Dont call me Shirley]

3. Excellent article, OS. Thanks for posting.

[blackspade]

4. K&R.

[demwing]

6. bookmarked, thanks Steve!

[MineralMan]

7. Yes, that's a pretty good description of the system

that is in place. It's very difficult to get elected as President in the US. It's hugely expensive, and people expect candidates who are extremely well-known and who have a long history.

Occasionally, someone wins unexpectedly. Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama are good examples. That's fairly rare, though.

[Hiraeth]

8. K&R

[WillyT]

9. K & R !!!