Why can’t our government be better, faster, and smarter?
Don’t blame them. We elected them.
Of course many of those we elect are smart, but do we ask them to act smart while in office? Do we demand smarter policies, more effective government, and faster action on major issues?
Or do we vote angry (if we vote at all), complain about what government does wrong, fail to offer solutions, and then elect people who complain ever louder without themselves offering solutions? Do we elect representatives who spend much of their time blaming others for the lack of progress? Do we hold our representatives accountable, or do we simply choose the ones who are the most angry and frustrated, because we are?
Our government is the way it is for many reasons, but possibly the biggest reason it is getting more polarized and less effective is that we are. Government is acting more stupid because we are acting more stupid. This has happened for many reasons — “identity” politics where we vote based on who we think we are (gender, ethnic affiliation, region, religion), the modern media “echo chamber” which takes our fears and frustrations and constantly reinforces or exaggerates them, and the associated lack of trust in institutions based on fact, science, or evidence, all against an economic backdrop in which economic and political power is concentrated in the hands of a few, who are quite adept at playing those fears and weaknesses to their own advantage, thus keeping us in a constant state of agitation and failure.
This is our fault because we let it happen.
Our political system has made for some great entertainment, ranging from debates that resemble political cage matches to political humor that often crosses the line into meanness. The media, who are often blamed, are simply playing off our need for constant stimulation. Frankly, it would be pretty boring if we discussed economic issues and education policy, and if we voted for candidates who said, “I stand for a government bureaucracy that works, and for policies that balance the needs of all of our people”. But I believe we have to separate the scandal and entertainment from the voting part, and actually vote for competence, compromise, and bureaucratic effectiveness. Frankly, not many of us are satisfied with the results of ideological turf wars.