Musings on the democratic process

Once the democratic process is corrupted, the scourge cannot be contained.

You see, change isn’t always bad, and standing still can mean you’re actually falling behind. To improve the outcome, the folks who continue to do what’s always been done should be outvoted — or replaced.

The two quotes above come from facing pages in last Saturday’s Virginian-Pilot. The first is from this editorial, where the topic was the establishment by the State Senate of a “kill the bill” subcommittee like that in the House of Delegates. The second is from this article, where the topic was the relocation of a basketball tournament.

In many ways, the two articles were talking about the same thing: the process by which things get done – or rather, don’t get done. I doubt anyone believes that our democratic process is anything other than corrupted: one only needs to look at what goes on in Norfolk or Richmond or Washington to see that. Part of the reason that the process is corrupted is that those who are in power are resistant to change – and our system of governance keeps things that way.

I agree that the the people should be replaced but the task is more difficult than it appears. The re-election rate of incumbents is high for a reason: they have access to resources – money, people – that challengers simply do not. And even if a challenger succeeds, what effect can one member have? Let’s be real: being one of 435 representatives in the House or one of 100 Senators isn’t much more than bragging rights, especially in a system that is seniority-based as opposed to merit-based.  Even in at the state level, being one of 100 delegates or one of 40 Senators makes getting things done difficult without alliances – and therefore, compromises – very difficult. Is it any wonder that the party caucuses end up controlling the agenda at every level?

So if the process is corrupted and resistant to change, what’s a citizen to do?

Start at the bottom.

One member of a seven or eight member council or school board can make a difference. Yes, I know s/he still has to be able to count to four or five, but there’s a way to get there: by involving the citizens in the process. And the citizens have a responsibility to inform themselves of the way things work, in order to be a force to help.

I am constantly amazed at the bright people that I talk to who have absolutely no idea how government in Virginia or their locality works. Every day, I come into contact with people who want to blame everything on Washington. But ask them how and who determines their real estate taxes, or their water rates, they will give you a blank stare.

You can’t change Washington. Your ability to change Richmond is limited.

All politics is really local.