Everybody hates them. Some people even take pleasure in despising them. We trash their reputations and attack their character like it’s a national sport. We turn them into caricatures, pinatas and even Halloween masks.
But, ultimately, I would argue, we’re ending up with the politicians we deserve. Because, in the spirit of being realistic,we have to admit that they’re doing a job that we’re too lazy to do ourselves. We’re too lazy to vote, we’re too lazy to get involved on the political scene, and we’re too lazy to even care. For the first time in human history we have access to technology that would allow us a real option for self-governance, but we’re too lazy to rise to that challenge.
I believe we’ve reached a crossroad. Either we’re willing to make the effort to figure things out for ourselves and get involved in a real democracy, but that would be a lot of work. Or, we accept that we’re letting politicians decide on our collective behalf, because the fact is, we’re too self-centered and work-shy to get involved. But in that case, we probably need to go a little easier on the politicians, because the reality is, they’re doing a job we couldn’t be bothered with.
I would say that the average voter is like a 40-years old teenager that’s still living in their parent’s basement, one that has the audacity to complain that their mom doesn’t fold their laundry properly. Maybe, it’s time someone started doing their own laundry. Or even better, maybe it’s time for someone to move to an apartment of their own.
In the end, if we’re too lazy to go and figured things for ourselves, then we shouldn’t complain when politicians are mothering us to death.
[n]
technology4democracy 
perfect summary of how I feel too about our political system- it’s terrible but we get what we deserve. voter apathy and low turn-out guarantees that stronger interests will win out against the average citizen.
Exactly! The electorate wants to have its cake and eat it too. Most of the things that have value in this world, require alot of work to obtain. And as far as having a political system that’s truly representative, that will take alot of work, and that’s too much effort for the average voter.
Reading this entry reminded me about a characterization of the the Argentinian citizenship as “individualistic and statistic” at the same time, that is: we complain about having to pay taxes, having to vote, about the way that the state regulates certain aspects of our lives… but at the same time we pretend everything to be done by it, since as you wrote, we’re too lazy some times probably to do it on our own. Of course, cultures are different, but recent history and mobilizations make me think that it could be an endemic situation that of complaining about how wrong our representatives do things, but not having enough conscience that is our responsibility too providing them with the incentives to do things right.
Well said! I can say from personal experience that it’s surprisingly difficult to get people involved, or even interested. People are more interested in the illusion of legitamacy, than actually making sure there’s substance behind all that political smoke and mirrors. The way I see it, I’m gonna beat the drum of political reform for a while, but if that doesn’t work out, I might pull a 180, and start promoting the idea that the electorate needs to stop complaining, since we’re all too lazy to even care.
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the
samke results.
That’s good to know, thanks for bringing this up. Just wondering, was it the images for this article specifically?