Earlier quoted context omitted.
> but the ability to influence decisions is mostly out of your reach. At least here little people can have some small control over their environment through small bribes This is mostly comforting nonsense. The average American has more say, potential and actual, in their government than the average Iranian. (And the average Iranian more than the Saudis.) What in a bribe economy one pays for with cash in a civil socie…
> The tragedy in American civics is far too many are too poor, tired and/or uneducated to fully engage. Engage with whom? First Past The Post voting ensures I have no viable political party to vote for that would reasonably represent me.
Nobody does. In any system. There is always error in any heterogenous group. That isn't an exoneration of our two-party system. Just pointing out that not having a party that perfectly represents you is inherent to civilisation.
What issue do you care most about? Engage on that. With others who think similarly. That’s what engagement means. And due to the shocking lack of civic engagement, it’s ridiculously powerful. I have personally swung judicial elections in New York City by taking some tenant association heads to dinner. I’ve gotten language into state bills because nobody else called and it wasn’t one of my rep’s core issues. I did this before I made any money to speak of; in some sense, I had the time to engage for lack of money.