|
opinion
Democracy
always an adventure
Of all of the forms of governing that humankind has devised,
democracy does seem the most stable and durable.
It's worked here in the United States -- relatively well enough
-- for more than 200 years.
Dictators come and go, but we still cling to our hopes that
our vote really means something.
Recently, as practiced in other countries, democracy has been
entertaining, to say the least.
In Venezuela, democratically-elected President Hugo Chavez
was overthrown in a coup that may or may not have been endorsed
by our government. (Anybody heard of the CIA?)
In a display of civic concern typical throughout the world
but lost here since the '60s, the people of Venezuela raised
up and helped Chavez back to power two days later.
'He may be a scoundrel, but he's our scoundrel, darnit.' (Anybody
heard of Bill Clinton?)
Chavez's efforts to help the poor not only soured his relationship
with the ruling elite, it also saved his skin.
Also in the news lately is Ilona Staller, the one-time member
of Italy's parliament, who is now allegedly being obstructed
from getting elected to Hungary's parliament.
The former porn star, famous for baring her breasts to the
Italian ruling body, also used to devote her time to making
sure everyone was having sex, now spends her time trying to
lessening world poverty. (Sorry, can't come with a comparison
for that one.)
But the most curious practice of democracy occurred in Pakistan,
where General Pervez Musharraf was "re-elected"
in a race in which he ran unopposed.
This is much more efficient than our system, in which we're
given a "choice" between two identical candidates.
(George W. and Al Gore, anyone?)
Voters were asked whether they minded if Musharraf stayed
on as president for another five years.
Given that he originally took power through a coup, he probably
wouldn't have gone off quietly into the sunset.
But through it all, how much relevance does democracy really
have any more?
Though we're probably never going to admit it, evidence does
point to the Republicans having stolen the 2000 presidential
election.
Voters in Orange County have repeatedly fought everything
from new airports to Wal-Marts, but at every turn, the moneyed
elite just circumvent the process and finds some other method
of getting their way.
Voters in California face a big decision in deciding on their
next governor. A rich, white male beholden to special interests,
or a rich, white male beholden to special interests, who just
happens to spell his name differently.
Here at Cal State Long Beach, we trumpet with joy when the
election turnout exceeds 30 percent.
What's the solution? I don't know. But the current system
is starting to stink like a gangrenous limb of the once-strong
body of democracy.
Maybe if we had a few former porn stars of our own running
for office, interest would be higher.
If nothing else, it would increase turnout at the elections
here.
Phil Witte is a journalism major at Cal State Long Beach.
|
|
Phil
Witte
- Witticisms
-
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Search our site
DEPARTMENT
OF
JOURNALISM
ONLINE 49ER
DEPARTMENTS
ADVERTISING
ADMINISTRATION
DAILY
49ER ALUMNI
SUBSCRIPTION
SERVICE
GIVE
FEEDBACK
|
