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Dysfunctional debt
The interest payment on our national debt is $1 trillion. How did that happen? Spending is out of control, the result of a dysfunctional government. How dysfunctional is our government? Read on.
1. The intense partisan fighting between Democrats and Republicans often leads to legislative gridlock where little to no progress is made on prominent issues.
2. Special interest groups and lobbyists have a substantial influence on politics, often swaying decisions in their favor other than in the public interest.
3. The enormous cost of running political campaigns makes it difficult for many qualified individuals to run for office, limiting the pool of candidates.
4. Issues such as gerrymandering, voter suppression and attempts to undermine election results have raised concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.
5. Congress often struggles to pass legislation due to procedural hurdles like the filibuster, which can be used to block bills even if they have majority support.
6. There is a perception that political leaders often do not face consequences for unethical behavior, which undermines public trust in government.
These issues contribute to a sense of frustration, disillusionment, among many Americans regarding the effectiveness of their government. This has been the history since the Nixon impeachment case. Tit-for-tat.
— Michael Austin
One forum critique
Thank you for conducting the candidate forum for Pleasanton Mayor and Council Districts 2 and 4. It was very informative.
Pleasanton Weekly and all the candidates and all parties did an excellent job. Your questions were very appropriate and on point, and I liked the format. It was well thought-out, controlled and well-executed by all.
My only critique was the confusing question from PW regarding how the district candidates would handle issues specific to and representing only their district. It was confusing because I had previously thought that the district reps were still to represent all the city as a whole.
Each of the four candidates confirmed that they would represent the whole city. (Truthfully, since/if that is the case, then I don’t even know why we are now voting districtly, but that is a separate matter.)
— David Campbell
