Is true democracy in the US is dead?

[GusFrerotte]

Catching these GOP debates is not only eye opening in seeing how poor the GOP field is as a whole, but how the main stream media manipulates the debate/campaign season into corraling the populace into only voting for the elite approved candidates. I first noticed this in 2004, when the media ignored Dennis Kucinich and did a hatchet job with Howard Dean to promote the Establishment fav Kerry

[CRedskinsRule]

You do realize how ironic your thread title is since the US has never been a "true" democracy.

Now to your point, the media has a huge role in picking candidates, and the elections, but it is mostly a chicken and the egg argument. Yes the media can manipulate within bounds, but the people pretty much set the boundaries of those debates. If, as a whole, the population felt that Kucinich or a libertarian candidate's ideals were the best then the media would move to capture those viewers' interests with stories and candidates that espouse those views.

Put another way, do you think most of our president's haven't used the media machines of their times to sway the eligible voters toward electing them? Or that the parties(however they were named at the time) didn't use media/backroom dealings to get their "elite approved candidates" elected?

I would even think that now the candidates are far less influenced by media/establishment, as voters can find information through far more sources today then, say, in 1880. But, ultimately, in a 2 party system, you will have a rising tide effect as people put their smaller issues aside and select a candidate that most closely aligns with their "life view" of politics.

[724Skinsfan]

Most people embarrassingly vote for a specific letter surrounded by parenthesis. It seems they can't realize this isn't a sporting event. You don't have to root for one team.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Catching these GOP debates is not only eye opening in seeing how poor the GOP field is as a whole, but how the main stream media manipulates the debate/campaign season into corraling the populace into only voting for the elite approved candidates. I first noticed this in 2004, when the media ignored Dennis Kucinich and did a hatchet job with Howard Dean to promote the Establishment fav Kerry

Well first things first, the US is not a pure democracy. Its a republic.

Secondly, what you are talking about is basically a product of the two party system. If there are only two major players they are not going to put forth a candidate out of nowhere. Its going to be someone who is well connected and "popular".

[GusFrerotte]

I know we are a Republic, but our media seems to steer the populace into voting a certain way and that is what I am getting at.

[firstdown]

Like Dean need help.

Howard Dean - YouTube

[firstdown]

Then their is old fart,

Hillary Clinton Farts! - YouTube

[firstdown]

He actually think ther is 58 states.

Obama Claims He's Visited 57 States - YouTube

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

I know we are a Republic, but our media seems to steer the populace into voting a certain way and that is what I am getting at.

No, I think most people understand that in our system the liberal, or conservative, hacks aren't going to win a majority of the electoral votes, or popular vote. Most people move toward majority viewpoint, rather than an "extreme" position.

I am no media lover, but they mostly report to their largest bases, if your candidate isn't being pushed, guess what, you probably wouldn't win if this was a true democracy, as you put it.

And your thread title asking if true democracy is dead, I would answer it's more so in it's infancy. As people start getting more and more information, and respecting the norms of society less, and thinking my way must be the right way, and here is a website to prove it, we will see more and more movement toward true democracy (and for the record, that's a bad thing).

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by firstdown

He actually think ther is 58 states.

Obama Claims He's Visited 57 States - YouTube

was he counting territories like marshall island, guam, etc?

you can send mail first class to marshall island btw, it's state abreviation is MH.

[dmek25]

Must See Hilarious George Bush Bloopers! - YouTube

no one can top this buffoon. and we have evolved into a 2 party system. no one outside of this system stands a chance

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by dmek25

Must See Hilarious George Bush Bloopers! - YouTube

no one can top this buffoon. and we have evolved into a 2 party system. no one outside of this system stands a chance

You ciould have done better then that clip. That one show he has a sense of humor and is human. A buffoon thinks he has been to 57 states and has one more to visit.

[hooskins]

You sure Obama didn't just make a mistake? Also, you really think Bush is intellectually superior vs. Obama, haha?

Bush had his strengths, but intelligence wasn't one of them. That's why there are tons of websites, posters, etc. that have "Bush-isms". This is actually one of the few klutzy mistakes Obama has made, in terms of speeches.

If you want to criticize Obama, focus on your issues with his policies.

[saden1]

The people as a whole still have freedom and the right to exercise their will but a true democracy can not be had without the absence of money bearing external forces, presence of a leveled playing field and low barrier to entry for candidate and informed citizenry.

This country and its people lack sufficient altruism required for a true democracy.

[Chico23231]

Forefathers rolling in their graves....way too much special interest and corporate money in politics....our political system is a damn embarrassment imo...