Politics and Math

The American People. Who are they, and why are they constantly cited as backup to every politician's claim to righteousness, as in "the American people have spoken" or "the American people don't want this (healthcare reform) or that (environmental regulation), etc.?"

It's revolting. "Patriotism" as the last refuge of these scoundrels.

The American people are diverse and divided, angry and apathetic, confused and complicit in this mess. But they are most certainly not a singular voice. Of course, "American people" is often just the new code for "people like me." And that's a joke, too, because while these cynical hacks may be referencing white males and pit-bull moms, they are conveniently side-stepping the fact that each one of their bank accounts would be a lottery win for those they claim to speak for.

The latest election was supposedly a referendum. I beg to differ. Here's some very simple math, provided in a New Yorker article by Hendrik Hertzberg (an American person).  He notes that in 2008, about 53 percent of the electorate opted for Democratic candidates. In 2010, about 53 percent opted for Republicans.

But in 2008, 120 million people voted in the Congressional elections (130 million in the Presidential election). In this year's supposed landslide reversal, 75 million people voted. That's 45-55 million people who, energized two short years ago, didn't bother this time around. I'm guessing it made a difference.

Hertzberg goes on to say: "The members of this year's truncated election were whiter, markedly older and more habitually Republican." In other words, the angry, scared, crazy folk showed up.

But that ain't my America. And it won't be the pseudo movement known as the Tea Party's for long. Math is not on their side. But they don't have much need for math or any other science. In the meantime, time may not be on our side.