John Trudell on the Political System incoherency and voters Interview Oct 2008

Summary

The speaker in this video script discusses the shared responsibility of voters and politicians in the current political climate. They argue that voters often knowingly elect politicians who lie, and then complain about being betrayed. The speaker identifies as a non-voter and suggests that the real issue lies with the voters themselves, not the non-voters. They propose the idea of non-cooperation as a form of protest, questioning the effectiveness of traditional civil disobedience and encouraging a more thoughtful, non-reactive approach to societal issues.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The speaker believes that voters share responsibility for political outcomes, as they elect politicians knowing they may lie or betray them.
• 🤔 The speaker observes that voters often choose to believe what they want to hear from politicians, rather than what they know to be true.
• 👥 The speaker identifies themselves as a non-voter, part of the 'largest political party in America', implying that non-voters are a significant group.
• 🔍 The speaker suggests that voters should demand clarity and coherence from political representatives, but often fail to do so.
• 💭 The speaker criticizes the emotional reactions of voters, arguing that they lack clear thinking and contribute to the incoherence of the political system.
• 👎 The speaker points out that blaming non-voters is a way for voters to avoid taking responsibility for the politicians they elect.
• 🤝 The speaker questions the effectiveness of civil disobedience, suggesting that it may actually be a form of cooperation with the system being protested.
• 🤯 The speaker proposes the idea of non-cooperation as a means to challenge the status quo, by not feeding energy into the system.
• 💡 The speaker encourages thinking about non-cooperation in various forms, such as economic non-participation or emotional self-control.
• 🎶 The speaker ends the transcript by encouraging others to create visual content for their songs, viewing it as a continuation of the creative process.

Q & A

What is the main point the speaker is making about voters and politicians?

The speaker suggests that voters share the blame for the actions of politicians because they knowingly elect them despite being aware of their tendency to lie and betray trust.

Why does the speaker identify as a non-voter?

The speaker identifies as a non-voter because they believe that voting does not change the system and that non-voters are unfairly blamed for the political situation.

What does the speaker suggest about the role of non-voters in the political system?

The speaker suggests that non-voters are part of the largest political party in America, implying that their non-participation is a form of protest against a system they view as inherently flawed.

What does the speaker believe is the real problem in the political system?

The speaker believes the real problem lies with the voters themselves, who do not hold politicians accountable and instead react emotionally to political promises.

How does the speaker view the concept of civil disobedience?

The speaker views civil disobedience, whether violent or non-violent, as a form of cooperation with the system being protested against, suggesting that it does not truly challenge the status quo.

What alternative to civil disobedience does the speaker propose?

The speaker proposes the concept of non-cooperation as an alternative, suggesting that withholding energy and participation from the system could be a more effective form of protest.

What does the speaker suggest about the emotional reactions of voters?

The speaker suggests that voters' emotional reactions and beliefs are based on insecurities and fears, which they should examine and not let dominate their decision-making.

How does the speaker encourage the use of their music?

The speaker encourages others to create visual content for their songs, viewing it as a continuation of the creative process and a way to further engage with the material.

What does the speaker imply about the nature of political promises?

The speaker implies that political promises are often lies, and that voters are complicit in this dynamic by choosing to believe what they want to hear rather than demanding honesty.

What historical pattern does the speaker refer to in the context of elections?

The speaker refers to a historical pattern of voters electing politicians who do not fulfill their promises, suggesting a cycle of betrayal and disappointment.

What does the speaker mean by 'non-cooperation' in the context of political participation?

The speaker means that instead of engaging in traditional forms of protest or voting, individuals should consider withdrawing their energy and participation from the political system as a form of resistance.