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Dysfunction
Key Takeaways:
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Dysfunctions are entrenched in our systems of politics and government.
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Replacing elected representatives does not resolve the dysfunctions.
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We need to fix the dysfunctions.
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"A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand." - Abraham Lincoln
Q. What is meant by "dysfunctional?"
A. An example -- for decades now, the U.S. Congress has struggled to:
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pass laws we need to function as a country,
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solve problems that need their attention,
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put solutions in place even when popular support exists.
Q. What, exactly, is dysfunctional?
A. Some would say our democracy is.
The dysfunction situation is a bit more complicated than that quick declaration, but understanding the "what should be" of our democracy helps us identify causes and solutions.
Abraham Lincoln said it well. We should be a "government of the people, by the people, for the people..."
While today's situations appear dire, there are solutions. Our government has worked before, and it can work again.
Some solutions are already in place and working, others need more support from voters to be more effective.
For decades now, there has been dysfunction and voters have become so used to it that they think it is normal. It's not! No Labels has been on a mission to change that perception because the dysfunction is not normal, and, we should not accept it.
One solution is easy: we, the people, need to use our vote, and our voice, to insist our elected leaders act and do as they are supposed to.
The lack of representation, the lack of service to all constituents, and with that, to the country, is a dysfunction that concerns us, affects us all, so No Labels acts to makes the changes needed, which includes raising awareness across the country.
One Dysfunction Example
Political and governmental dysfunction arise from a number of causes.
No Labels found that partisan politics causes particularly divisive and pervasive dysfunction, creating a "tribalism" effect
The effect of that one issue is the reason why No Labels has identified bipartisanship, especially in problem-solving, as an enduring solution.
Extreme ideological factions within each party adds yet another set of challenges. While small in number, they are organized, well-funded and have substantial impact, blocking and overriding the majority.
Additional Insights
Click on the link buttons, below or above, to learn more about the causes of, and solutions for, dysfunction in our political and governmental systems.
Other Resources
In addition to the information provided here, more details about dysfunction and solutions can be found in No Labels initiatives, (click here,) and throughout the national No Labels website, (click here.)
Q. How is democracy dysfunctional?
A. Let's consider what should be.
From a U.S. Citizenship guide provided by the U.S. government:*
"The United States is a
representative democracy.
[U.S.] citizens vote for their government officials.
This means that our government is elected by citizens.
These officials represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government."
(emphases added.)
Consider those points in bold.
1) Clearly true is that U.S. citizens do vote for government officials.
2) Questionable is whether "citizens' ideas and concerns" are represented by those elected officials.
Once elected, officials are supposed to serve all of their constituents. What has been happening instead is, many serve some some other goals.
Statistically valid polls continue to tell us that the will of the people, that is, the majority of the citizens ideas and concerns, are not reflected in laws and policies.
That lack of representation, that lack of service to all constituents, and with that, to the country, is a dysfunction that concerns us.
Dysfunction Examples
123-456-7890
An example of overcoming the dysfunction, accomplished by the Problem Solvers Caucus.
A healthy infrastructure is essential to meeting the needs of the country. For decades now, maintenance and repair of the country's infrastructure has been deferred.
In May 2019, the Problem Solvers Caucus, through its working committee efforts, issued this report about the issues, with a bipartisan-supported plan to fix the nation's infrastructure, for today, and the future.
Topics Under Development
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Accountability - What Should We Expect from the Elected?
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"Get In The Room" Initiative.
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Different Folks, Different Facts - How Can That Be?
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The Magic Money Tree - Is It Real or Fiction?
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The Federal Government and Debt -- When Is It Healthy? When Should We Worry?
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The Exhausted Majority - Can We Really Take Back Our Country?