Barack Obama

Yes, we want our elected officials to make moral stands and rise above politics and polls. We become cynical and disengaged when we see our elected officials fail repeatedly at achieving the policies and goals - the promises made - when they campaigned for our vote.

We decry and denigrate candidates whose "moral" stands seemingly "blow with the wind" of polls and moods of the electorate. We revel in the "outsiders" who speak their minds unfiltered and are entrenched in a local electorate which shares those values and keeps them safe from political challenge.

However, we need to understand the American political system is and remains a democratic political system. In most cases, our politicians have to achieve a majority - 50% plus 1 vote - in order to win the election. It is at its core simply majority rule.

On the death penalty, this country consistently supports capital punishment.



I would argue it isn't up to the politician to "evolve." As is the case on so many issues, it is up to "we the people" to continue this evolution on the issue.

As Barack Obama has said many times, "Make me. I can't do it without you."

Democracy.