Why this independent pragmatist hates the American electorate.

I feel a huge need to vent over this election. Not because of the result so much, as it was rather predictable. No, my target of venom is the monumentally stupid American voter.

The vast majority of American voters can agree on 3 things:

*Lower Taxes

*More Benefits (at minimum don't cut benefits I use)

*Deficits are bad!

Obviously these 3 things cannot all go together, but look at how initiatives to the people for lower taxes always win in a landslide, initiatives for new taxes lose in a landslide, etc. Doesn't shock me that this same electorate runs up credit card debts like it was free money.

Since 9/11 happened, another double standard has appeared. We want the government to stop every single possible terrorist attack, and anyone opposed to any security measure proposed OBVIOUSLY has something to hide, and if they have non-white skin MUST be a terrorist. But we all value our freedom (freedom of my neighbors is negotiable).

This phenomenon is known as "I support every new security measure, no matter how intrusive, and without regard to actual effectiveness, until it inconveniences me in any way."

It is time for a damn reality check. Even the more reasonable voters (reddit, most of you probably fall into this category) at best support government limited to things they support, and coming to the middle to compromise with both opposing viewpoints and economic realities is a step only a few are really ready to take. And even if we were, the bulk of the American electorate are functional idiots who wont budge an inch.

Fact: We're running huge deficits because most of us want more benefits for less cost (taxes), and politicians were more than happy to oblige if it meant votes.

Fact: Spending cuts that affect things YOU like, and things I like, will need to be made. This is the issue everyone kicks the can on, but this discussion needs to take place so we can come to a consensus on what we can afford to let go of, or the politicians will go and cut things without our input once its too late anyways. Greece eventually made sweeping spending cuts because they had already collapsed. Up until then no piece of spending could be spared. No one is discussing this though, for reasons that elude me...the Tea Party falls under "limited to things I like", and while I agree with reddit liberals that massive military cuts are needed, those wont be enough.

Fact: Our taxes are mad low. To keep them this low, apocalyptic spending cuts are needed. We need to accept as an electorate that taxes are going to go up...and if we discussed spending cuts like adults, people would realize this.

I could go on, but before I lose too many of you, a plea from here in Pragmatist Party HQ. Turn off the echo chamber of debates between the Democrat idea and the Republican idea. Study the issues, see how countries around the world handle these issues, and learn what works and what does it. Use original thinking to come up with your own ideas and encourage others you know to do the same! I've debated many a self-proclaimed "tea partier" and within an hour they agreed with me that the Swiss healthcare system would be a great solution to our country's healthcare issues, even after calling Obamacare a government commie takeover! Moving the debate from A vs. B talking points to original ideas changes viewpoints.

Need a starting point? Ask yourselves (and friends of all political persuasions) these questions:

*Why does Germany still have a thriving middle class/industrial sector while ours disappears?

*Why does Norway have the highest standard of living in the world (arguably)?

*Why is even Sweden's all-encompassing healthcare cheaper than ours?

*What do we do better than Sweden healthcare-wise?

*How do we meet in the middle and become the best (I chose the Swiss system, but feel free to disagree if feel otherwise after looking into it)?

Let's make this generation the educated generation. Engage people of all political persuasions in debates that force them off their standard talking points and get them to think for themselves. It matters, because politicians cater to what gets them elected. If we are an intelligent and pragmatic electorate, they will finally work for us.