Well, there has been a convergence toward the center, at least at the presidential level, but which party controls will make a big difference on taxes, guns, Social Security, Medicare, education and health care policy. Politicians don't listen to us. It's true, big contributors and lobbyists do have undue influence, but it's wrong to say that individuals have none. If citizens want to reduce the influence of special interests, they can go to a congressional candidate's town meeting and demand campaign finance reform. And bring some friends.
Candidates do listen to what's on peoples' minds.
People say they can't find out what the issues are, that the media are only interested in sex, scandal and polls. There's certainly a disturbing tendency in that direction, but simultaneously there's more issue information around than at any time in U.S. history. Through the Internet, Americans can now read almost any newspaper or magazine in the country, every major candidate's positions, the reports of think tanks and research centers and any government publication. It's true, both party establishments are trying to pre-select candidates this year, freezing out all but Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore. But the choice is not inevitable if enough people decide they don't want it.