" The two major political parties are attempting to convince voters that ideology and policy prescriptions are no longer relevant. Election contests are no longer a forum to discuss individual candidates' solutions to the big issues of the day. Instead, candidates receive their talking points from the party leaders, reducing the election and public policy process to little more than a popularity contest. We the voters are rendered tailgaters in the parking lot, waving our red or blue flags in support of our favorite team. "
Money quote -- and, sadly, all too true....
We have traded our status as "Citizens" for the *supporting role* of "consumers"...
And we lost ourselves, in the process...
Exactly!