Democracy 'Every Four Years'
By Mike Lillis
03/21/2008
10:22AM
In defense of Vice President Dick Cheney's open dismissal of public disenchantment with the Iraq war earlier this week, White House press secretary Dana Perino uttered an equally revealing statement yesterday about the way this administration views the workings of our constitutional democracy. Responding to pressure from reporters, Perino said the administration would not be swayed by public opinion polls, but would lead instead based on "principle."
Public sentiment on specific policy, Perino added, matters little except during elections.
From the White House transcript:
PERINO: So we believe that the president stood on his principle. He hasn't chased public opinion polls. He's aware of them, but he hasn't made decisions because of them, and I think there's a distinction. Just because you don't make decisions based on opinion polls doesn't mean you don't care what people think. We are all Americans. We care deeply about what people think.
REPORTER: The American people are being asked to die and pay for this, and you're saying they have no say in this war? ... [W]hat it amounts to is you saying we have no input at all.
PERINO: You had input. The American people have input every four years, and that's the way our system is set up.
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© 2007 The Washington Independent
Comments:
Posted 03/21/2008 01:24pm with
It’s sick-making. So, what, they’re Russia in between elections? Oh, nevermind, they steal elections, too. The arrogance of this administration is sick-making, but the absolute indifference of most citizens to participatory democracy is sadly the rest of the equation.
Posted 03/21/2008 01:51pm with
Thats just it nikkym. For a democracy to work you have to have constant, educated input from the people. There are a lot of citizens out there who aren’t educated on the campaign issues, and thus feel that they should not vote because they don’t really know what a particular candidate stands for. Worse, are the ignorant morons who vote for things like a president’s appearance, or his family ties.
People don’t prioritize elections highly enough. And others think paying attention and voting is futile, and that their vote won’t make an impact. What people like this don’t realize is by standing by, and not caring if their voices are heard, they are having a much bigger, negative impact on the entire democratic process.
Posted 03/24/2008 11:12am with
Do some studying before you off-handedly blame an apathetic and ignorant public for this mess. Only recently have we become so aware of our leaders’ abilities to guide the masses, control the masses, with their “marketing and propaganda.” Conspiracy has become a “bad word” for a good reason. They do it.
Posted 03/24/2008 11:42am with
Dick Cheney meant EXACTLY what he said.