“The American People”

   I am SO TIRED of hearing politicians (left, centrist and “right”) claim that they know what “The American People” want, as if we are one people, as if we all think alike, as if we are not incredibly and frighteningly polarized.

So, who are these “American People” for whom they speak and who they claim to represent?

Do the 39 million who will continue to go without healthcare if the ACA fails, feel that the Republicans are right that they speak for them as “American People”?  For that matter, how many of the “American People” want the Government to be shut down in the most recent political stunt by those on the extreme right and those who are riding their coattails?

   The last Presidential election was won on a platform about The Affordable Care Act and other issues that this President has been fighting for, yet Republicans claim that their obstructionism is due to the will of “The American People” who elected him.  Clearly, the extreme right wing folks who got elected in an “off year” election four years ago and in the last election, were chosen by some of “The American People” too, but Democrats claim that “The American People” want nothing to do with their philosophy, policies and tactics. 

   I do not believe that other than the most wealthy and powerful, and some upper-middle class folks are represented by our government.  At its worst, 99% are not represented.  At best, the POOR are certainly not represented by those who have been elected to represent them as “public servants”.  Those who ARE represented are the most wealthy and powerful individuals and corporations who have bought the government, and those who have the ear of government because those in it HOPE to get their money in the future.  PAC’S, Corporations, Lobbyists and influential (wealthy and therefore power) individuals are represented.  Politicians belong to them.  No one else matters to those on the extreme and moderate right, and on the centrist to moderate left.

   I long to hear ANYONE champion the rights of THE POOR, THE ELDERLY, THE YOUNG, THE MARGINALIZED as they call them “THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.”  Yes, I believe that our President and his Party have come closer to representing them and enacting policies that will ultimately help them, but I do not hear them lifted up as valued citizens other than in rhetoric for debate.  Those in government represent those who will get them what they want – more power and money – the people just like them.  Homogeneity out of xenophobia is NOT a way to govern in a DEMOCRACY… of course, we have not had but a relative democracy for most of our history, and it is now a plutocratic oligarchy.  With that, necessarily comes marginalization and a lack of representation. 

   Are YOU one of “The American People” who these folks represent and accurately speak for?  Really?  Pastor Jamie