An Unhealthy Democracy

Is this whole week a part of the dumbing down of American democracy?

It’s a question to consider.

At a discussion entitled “The (failed) State of American Politics,” a panel consisting of national journalists Aaron Brown, Ryan Lizza, and George Packer gave their insight into the problem with America and the candidates for president.

“There’s no time in our lives to find out what the candidates really think on a subject,”said Packer.

Packer went on to say that we vote on symbols, and that because there is no reporter who is middle America’s voice there are only fragmented truths from a spectrum of places (the Internet and multiple channels on cable television).

Brown gave some major insight into what candidates are doing (which you’ll probably see a lot of tonight), stating, ” Instead of talking about their own policies they just attack the other candidate.”

According to Brown, another major problem with candidates is that “As soon as a candidate gets to Washington they are focusing on their re-election.”

Lizza also spoke on an issue you’ll be seeing tonight. He said, ” One of the issues we have during the primaries is that the candidates play towards their bases. You want to elect candidates who are in the middle but there is no middle.”

So has the state of American politics failed?

If the debates still entertain America, as tonight’s may, than the state of American politics is still running, though it may not be healthy.