Politicians have a lot of power to control our lives.
They can legislate, mandate and tax us in countless ways.
However, in free countries where voters have the power to elect their representatives, politicians do not have the ultimate power. That power belongs to the people.
The United States became the model for representative democracy when the U.S. Constitution was first written in 1787.
Many countries have adopted the principle in some form since that time. Prior to that, people were almost always governed by monarchs or dictators where they had not power.
It was a controversial idea when it was first introduced by our Founders. The power that the people can wield in any type of democracy is particularly threatening to the elites at the top of the power structure.
We often hear the complaint that our government is not responsive to the will of the people.
I understand why that is said.
However, if there is a disconnect the responsibility rests more on the people than the politicians.
The people are sovereign in our system. Their power is absolute. Unfortunately, too many people don't believe it. The simple fact is that politicians have no power unless the people provide it.
A politician is NOTHING unless they are elected. They only have power if they hold office. They cannot hold office unless they get more votes than their opponent.
Therefore, a politician is ALWAYS going to be focused primarily on gaining (or retaining) that power.
Laws that do not have public backing do not survive over the long term. Lawmakers who make laws that people do not support do not stay in office very long. Politicians who do not do the will of the people soon need to find other employment.
This seems to be lost on too many people who complain that they have no influence or power in the affairs of state. It may seem that way when you are just one vote. However, those votes add up quickly.
The reality is that the people too often lack the organization and voice to wield their power effectively.
Too many people do not raise their voices and those that do are disorganized.
However, when the people do raise their voices through their votes it can be terrifying to the politicians in power.
Consider the reactions of some politicians to the European Parliament elections over the weekend that saw conservative parties score gains in the election.
Ruling parties in France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Belgium all saw defeats. As a result, France’s President Macron dissolved parliament and has called for new elections to see if he can continue. Belgium's Prime Minister resigned.
Raphael Glucksman has been representing France in the European Parliament as a member of the socialist Green Party which lost seats in the election.
He sees the voters in Europe as "shaking our democracy"?
What?
How can voters shake democracy when these people are the power behind the democracy?
The only thing the voters shook were the politicians.
A similar refrain was heard from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the EU results.
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| Source: https://thepostmillennial.com/justin-trudeau-suggests-democratically-elected-right-wing-politicians-in-eu-elections-are-a-threat-to-democracy?utm_campaign=64466 |
We have arrived at the point that the people voting for the politicians and issues they care about is in itself "a threat to democracy"?
Where have we heard this before?
You can expect to hear a lot more about it between now and November.
You can also expect to hear a lot about the so-called "far right" as well. Most of the stories about the EU elections refer to the group of parties who made gains in Europe as "far right".
How is it that people who want to protect their borders and culture, oppose rampant lawlessness, love their country, support free speech, question the woke agenda and are skeptical about a new world order are considered far right?
This is a great graphical representation of how the media and elites seem to view the political landscape these days
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| Credit: https://twitter.com/TheRabbitHole84/status/1800671558027055340/photo/1 |
I dare say that what we are seeing is not a threat to democracy but a threat to the power of certain politicians who have their own agendas that do not conform to those of their constituents.
Why is Trudeau concerned about the results in the EU?
It might have something to do with where he currently stands with his own voters in Canada.
A recent poll shows that only 27% of Canadians are satisfied with Trudeau's government compared to 66% who are dissatisfied. That puts Trudeau in a worse spot in Canada than Biden is in the United States where just hit a record low 37% in the FiveThirtyEight poll average.
2024 may be a year in which it is determined who really is in power.
Is it the people or the politicians?
Many voters in Europe sent a warning to their politicians this past week.
What about the United States, Canada and other countries?
However, never count out the politicians.
They have a lot to lose and you can be sure they will not go down without an enormous fight and a lot of gnashing of teeth.
Power is never relinquished easily.
