Candidates of poor character are a problem voters can fix
And even if they were, do we the people really have the right to elect any random jackass to office? Sure, we have the power, in the sense that our system of government is premised on the principle of majority rule. If half plus one of Maine voters elect the guy with the Nazi tattoo to the Senate, he gets to go. But we the people have a duty to at least try to elect good people to government.
TL;DR
- Both Democrats and Republicans are electing candidates of poor character, justified by the failure of institutions and the actions of the opposing party.
- While the current state of the union is not dire, voters have a duty to elect good people, not just the power to elect anyone.
- Republican government, as envisioned by the founders, requires a certain level of wisdom and virtue from both rulers and the ruled.
- Representative government is meant to refine public views by choosing leaders with wisdom and patriotism.
- The malfunction of representation occurs when voters fail to insist on wise and prudent leaders, leading to governments that reflect worst impulses instead of best virtues.
- In the age of party primaries, the power to select candidates rests with the people, making them responsible for electing disreputable characters.
- Maintaining a republic requires citizens to take their role seriously, demanding not only responsiveness from government but also the election of fit characters.