System letting minority views drive decisions

How did we get here? Barely functional federal and state governments, a president celebrated for being unconventional instead of competent, runaway national debt, no thoughtful policies for international relations or jobs and economic growth, and an unaddressed looming healthcare crisis as the 35 million enrolled Medicare patients seen in the 2000 census grows to 70 million by 2030.

We've taken hits as a society and the 9/11 attacks and the Great Recession shook our confidence in leaders and institutions. Unlimited funds support candidates and dictate those candidates' agendas. We seem to function by identifying with a side instead of evaluating choices. In business and in public life we only find short-term thinking.

Time to go back to basics. Our representatives need to value what the majority of their constituents' value. They should not represent their big donors or only represent their own ideology. For citizens, we need to be reminded that Democracy runs on majority rule and compromise. You can't have 100 percent of your way until your way is what most people want.

Sixty-two percent of people approve of same-sex marriage. Only 38 percent of Americans approve of the GOP health insurance bill (portrayed by Mitch McConnell as being what Americans demand). Fifty-one percent approve of Obamacare (and presumably want it fixed, not repealed). Sixty-one percent of people polled want taxes to be reduced for the middle class. Sixty-four percent of Americans are worried about climate change. Does the rhetoric of Washington, D.C., align with these views?

Having conflicting views on important topics is not a problem. Somehow, the minority positions are the ones driving decision-making because of identity politics and the demands of the big political donors.

Dave Troland

Arlington Heights