Democracy: you get whom you vote for

Self-tutoring about politics: the tutor reflects on democracy.

I’ve met numerous Americans since 2020. None is happy with the federal government down there. One starts to wonder who voted it in.

The irony of democracies seems to be that people are often not happy with the government they voted in. Yet, other things they get to choose – such as their cars or their mobile phones – they seem much happier with.

The US brought the assembly line, the iPhone, piloted flight, and so many other paradigms and products we seem to need. Day-to-day it delivers plentiful fast food and coffee drinks of almost any description that people are happy to line up for. How can such a formidable, nimble society have such a hard time producing a government that makes everyone – or at least its sound majority – content?

One might argue that it’s too hard to please everyone. For instance, not everyone drinks coffee. Those that don’t can opt out of buying it. The government, not so.

One might also argue that it’s too vague what Americans even want. The government tries to deliver, but Americans aren’t clear enough, so the government can’t get the order right.

I have high hopes that, this coming election, Americans elect someone whom they don’t regret. Yet, what probability do you assign to that outcome? It has happened before.