While Obama was making the talk show circuit this last weekend, Bill Clinton was on Larry King (CNN) and he fielded many questions with a certain candor. But one thing I found interesting; when asked if conservatives disagreed with Obama because he was African-American or a Democrat, Clinton remarked “I believe if he were white, every single person who opposes him now, would be opposing him then.”

I tend to agree. The larger question is: would Republicans that oppose him still oppose him if he were Republican? I say Not.

While a discourse on some of the disillusioned “Town Hall” bigots – that have no clue what health reform is or could even understand it if they read any of the proposals – is a popular shock-jock talk show topic; the bigger problem is all those old white folks in congress that hate all the other old white folks in congress – because of their party affiliation.

Politics is always messy. But it gets downright chaotic if you sprinkle some lobbyist money around (like $3Billion in the last 90 days!) on misleading infomercials and downright lies in scare mailings to senior citizens. Stir up some racial bigots, then put on the pressure from the National Committee, the campaign contributors and the party leadership – and well you have an unthinking, kneejerk jerk congressman or senator, representing you in one the most critical moments in American history.

According to the Washington Post, Ninety 90% of ALL House members vote the party line on ALL legislation. Ninety three 93% of the Democrats’ and eighty seven 87% of the Republicans ALWAYS voted against the other party. No matter WHAT the topic or legislation before them. The Senate is within about 4% of the same numbers.

To show you how immature and arcane this process is, imagine getting 20 people off the street. Let’s say our only criteria are that they are educated and ‘normal’ – whatever that is. Twenty average Joes and Janes, like you and me. Average everyday folks. Just to equate things better – let’s make them 18 non-African-American and 2 African-American. That’s close to the mix in the congress (House & Senate).

We need to keep them apart – they do not know about any of the others. They must act independently.

Now, ask their opinion on a range of issues. Have them vote their conscience and belief. How probable do you think it would be to always get 11 for and 9 against? Or 9 for and 11 against? Or frequently – 10 for and 10 against?

Now imagine that most of those that vote against a proposal ALWAYS vote against ALL proposals – and most that vote for a proposal ALWAYS vote in favor of EVERY proposal?

Almost sounds impossible does it not? If these people had no outside influence and no affiliation with anyone involved in the decision making process – the statistics cited in the Washington Post would be nearly impossible to achieve – outside of politics.

Those Joes and Janes I cited here are what politicians call constituents. They can be lied to, promised anything and bought off with political influence. Once their vote is cast or their contribution is collected, Joe and Jane have little, if any, influence on a politicians actions once in office. Once there, the Party, and the Party’s suitors, take over. Vote against the Party and your last election will be, well – your last election.

I don’t think it is within the power of us Joes and Janes to change partisan politics. But it is within our power to elect more Independent candidates. That is not easy.  Party resources are extensive and the influence of special interests on behalf of these Parties is enormous. Smear campaigns and misinformation campaigns can be formulated at the drop of a hat. Huge amounts of money can buy expert ‘opinions’ and manufacture ‘facts’ that no unprepared individual can defend against.

Political reform can only come from the grass roots. That’s you and me. Do us all a favor in the next election – look close and long at the Independent candidates. Draw your own conclusions and resist media blitz campaigns by the Parties. If true reform ever comes, it will come when neither of the national Parties have a majority.

JB

More to Read:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/21/bill.clinton.larry.king/index.html

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/house/party-voters/

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