Better a country run by mediocre but sane people than psychopathic fascists! If everybody voted, politics will eventually move leftward over time!
Australia would disagree with you as an example. There by law everyone must vote, but personally I have noticed the politics drifting towards a more conservative, hyper religious and bigoted government. However, I must add a disclaimer in that this is my perception of Australian politics and as I am not an Australian resident I might just be seeing newsworthy fringe outliers. Someone from Australia would probably be able to clarify.
As other have mentioned though the two party system is the probably the second most prominent problem with American politics, the first of course being money in politics. After all, it matter not who you vote for, they have all been bought by the 1%.
As for Australia; I think you're just hearing deceptive stuff about "fringe outliers". To think that an entire country with mandatory voting would suddenly veer sharp-right despite the generational tendency to become more progressive (older folks tending to be more conservative than youth) would be dopey. I think it's just the Corporate Media trying to ruin Progressive morale with "Everybody's embracing wingnuttery! B'wahahahaaa!".
Okay, lets suppose you're right. What do we do about it? You can say all you want of the gravity of the situation but if you don't propose, plans, strategies or solutions then it's meaninglessness & defeatism.
Perhaps, this is why I speak in moderate terms......because the alternative reads like an H.P. Lovecraft story and I won't accept that until someone proposes solutions.....after all, WE are the majority and THEY are just a few old rich guys in suits.
Boycotts? Infiltration? Hacking?
Anybody?
Someone should write a book with some hand-dandy tips on how to weaken The Machine. Other countries managed to do it. There was a time when Scandinavian countries weren't the bastions of stability, prosperity, Progressivism & freedom we know today & the "Gilded Age" has been squashed before.
Nothing is impossible. Every problem has a solution. The "Human Rights/Freedom/Progress/Modernity/Charity" genie has left the bottle & many have had a kiss of it. I doubt most folks want to go back to Medieval times.
