“ It’s also important to have in place systems for effective monitoring of elected officials. A Canadian voter elects one federal official—a Member of Parliament. An American elects four—a President, two Senators, and one Representative. Americans don’t have four times as much time as Canadians to pay attention to what politicians are doing or to learn the issues; our politicians are just being monitored less. When you consider the proliferation of things like independently elected school boards, district attorneys, sherrifs, etc. keep in mind that this diffusion of responsibility is a good way for the egomaniacal to evade responsibility.”
— Matthew Yglesias (via MR)
This is admittedly a seductive argument. But also only part of the story. Voters aren’t in this alone. They’re in this with these self-same ambitious politicians. Particularly, ambitious challengers waiting to enter elections against corrupt incumbents and make loud what otherwise might be quiet.
Oh yeah, and we have parties too.
