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Building consensus perhaps heads them for irrelevance. It'll happen when most people no longer care. Ritualistic babble insults more than edifies. Yammering politicians only address themselves and deep-pocketed funders. For many, preaching to the choir no longer cuts it.
US broadcasters used to televise conventions wall-to-wall. CBS and ABC scheduled one hour only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Each party gets equal time.
NBC replicates them for Republicans. For Democrats, it's one hour Tuesday, football on Wednesday, and two hours Thursday.
All three networks plan reruns in prime time. Big money's at stake. Convention mumbo jumbo draws blanks. Low ratings mean less revenue.
NBC news anchor Brian Williams admitted that audiences "have had it up to here" and won't watch.
Cable channels plan more. At issue is who cares. Ringling Bros. entertains. Political versions insult.
US politics are dysfunctional, corrupt, and offensive. At 10%, congressional approval hit an all-time low. It's surprising anyone except the top 1% extends support.
Washington spurns ordinary people. Social benefits are being destroyed. Bipartisan complicity plans it. Public resources go for militarism, war making, and corporate handouts. Tax breaks supplement them. America's super-rich get plenty. Others are left high and dry on their own.
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