I could write a book in response to this Post Erika as there are so many scenarios and so many perspectives to consider however, I am going to keep it simple while still (hopefully) doing justice to your quote and thoughts.

The US presents a situation mirrored in varying degrees by many countries, in that the leaders make many promises in order to get elected. The promises will benefit the average voter and will cost enormous amounts of money ….. and yet rarely does one hear the question “Where is the money coming from?” or “Who is going to pay for these promises?”.

The reason to me goes back to the education system. It would likely be unreasonable to incorporate a program detailing the operations of the various levels of government, but at least include a basic primer so “average voter” has a perspective. Perhaps include it as an extension of the Math curriculum because, in its simplest form, “do the math” is a comment which would be very appropriate here.

Even the concept of “balancing the books” would be invaluable to “average voter”. Then when they get excited about a politician promising to increase the minimum wage, they can ask “What is that going to cost, and where will that cost come from?” When they get excited about their local Government agreeing to invest a huge amount of money into the local economy, they must acknowledge the very strong potential they will be contributing to it one way or another.

Even at a personal financial level, I know so many people who do not understand the realities of borrowing money and the resulting interest. “Cumulative interest” is a term which often generates a blank look as a response.

Perhaps if the education system was revised to give a basic understanding of finances at a personal level, then it would not be a giant leap of logic to then relate this same understanding to finances at a Government level and if that could be achieved …… then more questions could be asked, and promises may well be made with a little more caution.

I have to acknowledge that a multiple party system of Government is intended to ensure that common sense prevails, simply by providing opportunities for policies etc. to be challenged. However, while the ruling party is going to make promises which are designed to ensure their political future, the opposition parties are going try and influence a change of Government, and all this can be done without considering the real impact of “average voter”.

Sadly the political rhetoric rarely reflects the realities of a given situation simply because its goal is to influence in order to meet Party goals and, unless “average voter” has the tools to constructively review such rhetoric, then nothing is likely to change. The education system seems to be designed to produce a collective that simply either trusts their politicians, or resigns itself to a subordinate role in life.

Just some thoughts! 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person