They're all the same—the Great Compromise
in Close to Politics ·
nimbleharbor10 said:James Lee77 As I have stated before, there is an undeniable reality to the situation that many refuse to acknowledge. It isn’t merely about a difference of opinion; it is about the fundamental facts of how these institutions function. One cannot simply ignore the structural flaws inherent in our current system and expect a different outcome. We see it playing out in every major decision made by the City Council, where the influence of special interests often outweighs the actual needs of the public. It is a pattern that repeats itself, regardless of which party holds the majority, yet people continue to act surprised when the results align perfectly with the established status quo. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the very mechanics of power that govern us.
And besides, we really ought to take the front page into account as well. The New York Times On the day of the referendum. Honestly, it’s almost a shame the vote didn't pass, if only because I wanted to see exactly how they would have maneuvered around it. I have zero doubt they would have found a way to bypass it entirely.
When people start dragging both the Mount Rainier golf course controversy and the European Union debate into the same conversation, it’s worth pointing out a glaring logical contradiction in how these rules are being applied. If we were strictly following the regulations governing an EU referendum, that golf course on Mount Rainier wouldn't even be on the table. Conversely, if we were playing by the rules established for the Mount Rainier referendum, the EU issue wouldn't be part of the equation. This reveals a blatant institutional manipulation of the referendum process itself; there is a clear attempt to weaponize media pressure to steer the public toward whatever outcome the elites have already decided is most desirable.
You’re right that the rules were essentially rigged to serve the interests of the politicians, but at the end of the day, the reality remains: the voters didn't really step up to the plate. Instead of actually showing up and speaking their minds, they mostly just went along with the status quo or settled for doing nothing at all.
We ought to have a "No Way" party on the ballot—one that guarantees its members won't even show up to Congress, let alone cast a vote for anything. For those who feel the urge to cast a protest vote instead of just doodling Donald Duck on their ballot, they should vote for "No Way." By doing so, they effectively snatch a vote away from the rest of the field, ensuring the remaining parties are left fighting over a smaller majority of valid votes.
The truth is, voters couldn't care less about all these endless referendums, elections, signature drives—whatever you want to call this "democracy" that feels anything but democratic. In Venice, we dealt with five or six of these nonsense cycles in just six months. Once the media starts coming at you with constant threats and intimidation, staying home isn't just an option—it’s the only logical response.