Letter to the editor in the Nov 2 issue of The Economist--
Capitol charges
SIR – America’s political deadlocks (“Last-minutemen”, October 19th) are often attributed to bad politicians, poor leadership, infighting, ideological zealotry and so on. In any other country this would be called a constitutional crisis, but not in America, where it is still believed that the founders created a perfect system.
In fact, America’s basic law is 225 years old and out of date. It is a delusion to ignore the improvements in the practice of democracy that have evolved elsewhere. The problems of lobbying, gerrymandering, pork-barrel politics, incumbency and campaign financing are products of the system; they cannot be fixed by replacing the politicians. America’s political parties have no membership, weak leadership and little discipline or common purpose. The last time a new party came to power was 1860.
The voters are unable to throw the bums out because there is no means of holding accountable those who are responsible. Is it the president? The Senate? The House? The Tea Party? None of the above; it’s the constitution, stupid.
James D.
Toronto
http://www.economist.com/news/letters/21588828-emerging-economies-business-efficient-markets-venezuela-china-brazil-american-politics
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