Dr. Marc J. Yacht: Have Americans lost faith in elections?

The run for the presidency is a bust for both parties and there’s something missing from American politics of late.

Oh, the flag wavers wave as the candidates appear amid the usual rah-rah atmosphere ginned by political diehard groupies. But the “vote spirit” that’s so much a part of the nation’s political process seems to be dying.

Fewer care and it shows in low voter turnout.

The United States has been an international beacon for hope, justice, and good government but that shine has dimmed at home and abroad. Most disturbing are declines in registered voter turnout rates.

Only 58.2 percent of voters turned out for the 2012 presidential election, a 3.4 percentage point decline from 2008. Local elections fare worse with an average 30 percent turnout rate for candidates.

Why aren’t Americans voting?

Suggestions from non-voters that “my vote won’t count” likely don’t fully explain the disenchantment with current politics. Perhaps the candidates and their methods hint at voter displeasure. Although annoyance reaches into all aspects of government, the nation’s election process allows a direct expression of dissatisfaction. However, too many Americans choose to stay home on Election Day.

Although President Obama’s approval rating continues at 45 percent, a decent standing when compared to prior Presidents in their sixth year, his national confidence rating has slipped to 29 percent according to a recent Gallup poll and that’s alarming.

That suggests 71 percent of Americans don’t think he can shape solutions to America’s problems. That should not imply that he is blamed for such gridlock but certainly that he cannot adequately resolve issues. The American voter has lost faith in party cooperation.

In contrast, the current confidence level of Congress bottoms out at 8 percent.  Most striking is that Congress doesn’t seem to care and just continues the infighting and gridlock. That alone might explain declining national interest in the ministrations of government. Americans have lost hope in their ability to influence the decision makers.

How often has it been said that it is all about money and not about the nation’s needs? That’s a damning indictment of our political process. Government may have lost its moral compass driven by big money. Citizens remain in the shadows as corporate donor interests are addressed.

The results are plain to see: Universal health care has fallen short, infrastructure needs are left unaddressed, public education struggles for funding, and human services are crippled with inadequate resources. Tax revenue is pushed toward privatization efforts with little accountability to the taxpayers.

The greatest evil is the misrepresentations and lies fed to a gullible public to sell a self-serving agenda. “Politifact” exposes many of the distortions but there is no accountability.  Politicians on both sides skirt the truth to satisfy their constituents.  Those voters who study the issues can only shake their heads in disgust.

Gerrymandering the districts protects so many elected from challenge that there is no concern for voter reaction to inaccuracies and lack of progress. Politicians simply feel safe and have no fear of backlash.

The solution lies in accountability by voters and to call out those who distort facts, and by demanding justice through the courts. Gerrymandering must be corrected to balance the political influences in every community. Without adequately addressing political dishonesty, the confidence in the process may be lost to voters.

The result is clear: meager numbers at the ballot box.

Such trouble at the polls may play into the hands of those who wish to control America’s direction. With so few voting, it’s not difficult to get their constituents to the polls and artificially bias an election.

Sadly, the public ignores such danger that undermines the ballot box. Voters must get out and vote.  American democracy is at stake.

Marc J. Yacht MD, MPH is a retired physician living in Hudson, Florida. Column courtesy of Context Florida.