Voting

I wasn't aware that the voting process was that complicated! Isn't it just Republican or Democrat? I feel that you have actually discovered two simple facts of life; 1/ Politicians are out of touch with the people they are supposed to be representing, & 2/ When Democracy descends into party politics, it doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always wins. This is not an American issue, but is equally applicable to the UK, and many so-called democracies across the world. In the UK, less than 30% of the electorate voted for Labour, yet Tony Blair is our Prime Minister! 70% did not vote for him, or his party, yet they have a majority of seats in Parliament! The USA & UK governments sent our youngsters (not theirs) to die in Iraq, proclaiming democracy as the desired wish of everyone in the world. They implemented proportional representation, which neither government allows in their own countries! This isn't going to be an anti-Bush, or anti-War, or anti-American rsponse, don't worry. In the UK, we have 3 political parties who get to use the media for free. If you vote for your local MP, you then find that when it comes to voting on issues that affect your area, the MP votes according to what his/her political party say, not what is best for you and your area. In the US you have only 2, so it will be even worse for yourselves. Here is the biggest irony of democracy; what if the UK or USA citizens decided they wanted to have a Communist Government, like that in China. You couldn't get it by voting, you would need to have an armed insurrection, with citizens killing each other, and the army oppressing you, to maintain the established order! With tv shows, you feel your vote counts, and that you are given choices. Ultimately, you can choose to watch a different channel, if that is your wish. In politics, whoever you vote for, you'll get either a Democrat or Republican President, paid for by the big bussinesses and lobbyists. We, in the UK, will have either a Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat leader. No real choice. Democracy has become more oppressive than many dictatorships, and monarchies, and we have absolutely no power whatsoever. Several years ago (during Tony Blairs time), Labour published their manifesto; it stated that top-up fees for further education would not be introduced, and that they had actually legislated to prevent this from happening. They came to power, and 2 years later, top up fees were introduced! Could we have Tony Blair, or any member of the Labour Party arrested for this blatant fraud. No! Instead, we are told, if you don't like it, vote for someone else. The alternatives were just as corrupt, so what choice. Politics is just a boys club, with great pay and perks, forthe lucky few who are allowed to join.

You have to remember that you can vote more than once for american idol and only once for the presidential election.