Let me see if I have this right!
Early American elections have been about competing ideas on how best to guide the country toward the Founders Constitutionally articulated goals and principles . Sadly, more recent electoral contests have become battles between those who wish to more closely adhere to those early goals and those advancing increasingly alien systems of government, some of which seek the outright abandonment of the Founders’ vision.
Both the early and more recent elections have always been about persuading enough fellow citizens to support a candidate’s or party’s position. It’s why there’re called “elections”.
The modern electronic media driven campaigns have raised the cost of getting out the competing messages to a level where only those who have or have access to large sums need apply. And, although we began as a “republic” (the rule of law, i.e., the Constitution), elections are the unavoidable and potentially troublesome democratic aspect of the process for which no one wishing to maintain the remaining freedoms we still enjoy has found a substitute.
With the recent controversy involving “delegate” selection by local and state party elites comes a new and rather frightening development.
Probably due to Trump having upset the “established order”, it seems that campaigns are no longer buying persuasive media to get the word out to the general election voters, THEY’RE BUYING DELEGATES in an effort to stack the deck at the nominating conventions. Since they only have to persuade a few thousand citizens as opposed to trying to reach millions in the general population later, it’s cheaper and they can effectively dictate and limit the choices the general voters will have on election day!
Question: Can someone explain why this isn’t the same thing as bribing members of a jury to secure a desired verdict?
But I’m far less troubled by some miscreant bribing jurors than I am by what’s going on right now as you read this. While the verdict in a rigged jury situation hurts or damages the entity or entities who were the victims of the tampering, the eventual victim of what can only be called delegate tampering is the entire nation and, if an agent of one of those alien systems is the beneficiary of the tampering, will be the very futures of your children and grandchildren!
Have we really become the philosophical eunuchs the Founders feared? Have we really sunk this low?
Please tell me where I’ve got this wrong. I really DO want to be wrong on this one!
You have it exactly right.
If wealthy elites are going to spend a BILLION dollars on manipulating elections, why bother with elections. Have small controlled caucuses. It’s much more time effective and cost effective to these folks and then they won’t have to worry about the popular vote not reflecting the delegate votes.
BUY DELEGATES.
Why waste hundreds of millions on ineffective advertising?
Just buy the delegate. Everyone has their price. Congress has proven this.
Actually they are violating the laws of many states. Many of the delegates are elected officials of the state and bribing them is illegal.
I’m afraid you have it right, unfortunately. And as more and more people figure out what you so eloquently posted, the anger rises and rises.
Part of me is glad that Trump has refused to play this immoral game, but part of me wants to see him do what he does best... Use their own tactics against them.
If someone will set up a GoFundMe account to “help delegates with their expenses,” I will sure as heck donate!
Wouldn’t that be wild? If We-The-People fought back by doing what the Republican Establishment is doing, it would bring a WHOLE HECK OF A LOT of attention to the delegate scam. We may still lose Trump in the primary, but at least everyone would know WHY.
Probably due to Trump having upset the “established order”, it seems that campaigns are no longer buying persuasive media to get the word out to the general election voters.
THEY’RE BUYING DELEGATES in an effort to stack the deck at the nominating conventions. Since they only have to persuade a few thousand citizens as opposed to trying to reach millions in the general population later, it’s cheaper and they can effectively dictate and limit the choices the general voters will have on election day!
Question: Can someone explain why this isn’t the same thing as bribing members of a jury to secure a desired verdict?
You don't and you're not