American Politics

I came across this video on onegoodmove and I think it pretty wells sums up how many Americans participate in the political process today: us versus them, with very little in the way of considered opinions. You can't help but to cringe watching this.

But fortunately, I've been hearing people say lately that behind-the-scenes politics isn't quite as partisan as Fox and MSNBC make it out to be. For example, check out this clip on ForaTV where someone asks Neil deGrasse Tyson about the state of science in America under George W. Bush. ForaTV, "The Pluto Files", Chapter 18. "There is a huge middle that goes on daily in Congress that you never hear about."

I heard another example on the Daily Show not too long ago as well, though I can't recall the particular guest.

In light of the fist video, I'm a bit relieved to hear people who have actually sat on committees state that the system is working -- especially when greater America seems to participate in politics they way they participate in sporting events. "My team is number one! What was the question?"

As for the healthcare reform bill, I don't know enough about it frankly. Dawn was reading about it tonight and said that some of the compromises seem to have made into a better bill. For example, I understand that small businesses under 50 employees won't be required to provide health insurance. I'm relieved to hear that in particular, because it would kill the ability to start small businesses otherwise. (Can you imagine a photographer suddenly having to provide health insurance to their assistant that they can barely, barely afford in the first place?)

In a republic we elect (hopefully) smart people to make decisions for us us while we go about our daily lives. And I think that's a good thing; because if we lived in a democracy we'd be screwed.