Democracy: The Corruption of its Ideals

By Valarie R. Austin, January 30th, 2024, 11:30 PM EDT

(Previously published on Linkedin)

The United States is in the midst of another election cycle to select its next U.S. President. Young people of voting age must take note and participate. CBC News/Radio-Canada broadcasted a Youtube.com educational primer that explained the U.S. Presidential selection process titled, “U.S. election primaries: Even more chaotic than usual? About That.” As in previous elections, state voters by political party will choose their U.S. Presidential nominees through primaries and caucuses. Each state will allocate delegates based on voter turnout for the Republican, Democrat and Independent candidates who are running for President. Early primary and caucus voting occurred in Iowa and New Hampshire (NH). In the 2024 NH presidential primary, WMUR9/ABC news online reported 121,152 Democrats voted by write-in ballot and 323, 166 Republicans cast ballots. Since NH had a total of 873, 857 registered voters, only 50.8% of the electorate voted. Many voters stayed home. The website 270towin.com shows several more primaries and caucuses on the 2024 Presidential Election Calendar. These state-by-state primary/caucus elections start again on February 3rd and run through June 8th. After all votes are tallied, state delegates will officially cast their ballots at the Democratic or Republican Party National Convention, respectively. The Presidential nominee from each party with the most delegate votes will meet as rivals in the General Election for U.S. President on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024. Eligible U.S. citizens should vote and make their voices heard. Lack of voter turn-out makes American democracy weaker.

The U.S. primary/caucus season is an effective mechanism to select a desired U.S. President in the General Election. Voters can research and hear potential Presidential candidates. A choice of candidates for voters builds excitement in the political process. Primaries and caucuses encourage candidates to discuss their views on issues such as gun regulation; women’s healthcare and abortion access; child poverty; health care and hospital billing transparency; border control and immigration; homelessness; the federal minimum wage; gerrymandering; criminal justice and prison system reform; police reform; and military aid foreign wars. President Joe Biden is the front runner and incumbent for the Democratic Party. The former President, 2020 election denier Donald Trump is the front runner for the Republican Party based on early primary and caucus voting. The two candidates have not participated in any televised debates with other Presidential candidates in their particular political parties. In contrast, alternative presidential candidates, namely Republican Nikki Haley, Democrat Dean Phillips, Democrat Marianne Williamson and Third Party/Independent candidates have had to defend their proposed policies and implementation in multiple debates, news interviews, and town halls. For instance, NewsNation, a national cable television network, hosted a televised debate between the Democratic Presidential candidates. President Biden did not participate. Voters need options in candidates and the ability to engage with them through televised debates and town halls during the primary and caucus season. Peaceful protests, marches, sit-ins and other forms of nonviolent civic engagement put politicians and candidates on notice about U.S. citizens’ policy concerns. Voting, however, reinforces citizens’ agreement or disapproval of potential candidates and their political views. Silencing choice and stifling discussion about issues will make American democracy weaker.

In every election cycle, the news media is very important to providing information about political candidates. The mainstream media and network pundits should act on the voters’ behalf and provide unbiased information on election candidates’ policies, voting records and backgrounds. Besides the U.S. Presidential election, Ballotpedia.org noted that 468 U.S. Congressional seats  of the total 535 seats are up for election in primaries and the General Election on November 5, 2024. Voters should question politicians, “What have you done for me lately?” and “What are your policies and vision for the future?” Many career politicians have forgotten that they serve the American voter. Some politicians refuse to do anything about issues facing America while in office. Across the nation, voters should be able to select political candidates based on facts not rhetoric. For instance, a recent Fox 11 Los Angeles news debate occurred between candidates Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff, and Steve Garvey in the U.S. Senate race to represent California in Congress. The Fox 11 moderators asked substantive questions on policy. Most of the candidates’ answers were informative and well-researched. California voters will have the opportunity to vote based on this debate and how these candidates plan to address issues facing this country. Lack of media scrutiny about politicians’ political views and voting records make American democracy weaker.

Voters should understand that wealthy, anonymous donors can influence U.S. elections through campaign spending. In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled corporations and special interests groups can spend almost unlimited monetary amounts in political campaigns. SCOTUS’ Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) decision relaxed campaign finance rules. Powerful groups can form super Political Action Committees (PACS) and spend campaign monies with little to no transparency. In a January 2024 article, the Campaign Legal Center organization reported the 2020 activities of corporations and special interest groups included $14.4 billion for election campaign spending. For the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, the campaign spending is also staggering. CNN.com reported the Presidential candidates and their associated super PACs spent over $77 million dollars on campaign advertising in the New Hampshire Republican 2024 primary. Super PACS and other special interest donors subvert U.S. citizens’ interests because they exert undue influence in our election process. Unlimited campaign spending by corporations and special interest groups makes American democracy weaker.

Freedom and democracy are not ideals, but are the pillars of our political process. These sacred pillars must be put into action in every election. Dissatisfaction, disillusionment and anger with a candidate or political party are not productive emotions if they do not manifest into votes. Voters of every age should exercise their right to vote up and down the ballot in local and national elections. Primary, caucus and general election voting are the means to keep politicians in office or get them out of office. Politicians and candidates will take note if their political longevity is put at risk. Young American voters should want to vote because they will have to live with the results. Do not check-out and sit home this voting year. Vote for your country in 2024. Silence and political inaction make American democracy weaker.

Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts career and college readiness workshops for high school students, parents and transitioning military members. Check out her author’s pages on https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin, https://www.goodreads.com/valarie_r_austin and https://www.amazon.com/author/valarie_r_austin. A Youtube.com review of her book can found at https://youtu.be/xy_GSHlJsa0. This article was edited by Raffie Johnson. Copyright 2024, Vauboix Publishing LLC. (Article 1 of 5, spring 2024)