I read the Sunday column by Nate Cohen in NYT with interest. Although it’s not directly related to China, but in a way it’s related with the question of democracy raised by Chinese dissidents about Hong Kong. Mr. Cohen says that Republicans has essentially a lock in the House for years to come , not only because of gerrymandering, but because of demographic and urban/ rural divide. he sees the gridlock continues in U.S. in fore-seeable future. Most of the comments agree with him and complain about U.S. not a real democracy of 1 man, 1 vote.
As a Chinese -American I have voted in every election. Yet I can see the futility of it in deteriorating infra-structures. In 50 years the interstate highway system, used to be the marvel and envy of the world, now has not enough money from the highway trust fund to pay for its repairs. The gasoline tax for the fund has not been raised and not likely to be raised despite inflation. Looking at the high speed rail system and new highways in China, despite all the corruption one can’t help but question those who idealize and idolize democracy.
Lyndon Johnson knew when he forced through the Civil Rights Act that Democrats will lose the South, and Nixon exploited the Southern Strategy. The African-Americans sued for more equal representation in Congress, and the Republicans happily obliged to gerrymander 90+% black districts to guaranteed their elections, but did that affirmative action better their lots? I don’t think so. Did Clarence Thomas replacing Thurgood Marshall, so they retain a black seat in Supreme Court do them any favors? With the United Citizens decision of $1, 1 vote, and the fact almost half the electorate didn’t bother to vote in presidential election, not to mention off year and local elections I don’t see much future of democracy in U.S.. Some would say my argument is irrelevant as they want to make their own mistakes. I wonder those dead in Syria and Libya would agree.
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