Broken Campaign Promises

Capitol Deal Card Broken Campaign Promises
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Broken Campaign Promises in US Politics

A broken campaign promise is a commitment that a political candidate makes to voters during an election campaign, but fails to deliver on after being elected into office. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including changes in circumstances, opposition from other politicians, or a lack of political will to carry out the promise.

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Politicians make promises for a variety of reasons. In some cases, they may believe that a particular promise is necessary to win an election. In other cases, they may make promises that they do not intend to keep, in order to appeal to certain voter groups or gain political support.

Politicians are not always held accountable for breaking their promises because the political system and the media do not always focus on these issues. Additionally, voters may not hold politicians accountable if they feel that the broken promise was not a significant issue for them, or if they feel that the politician had a good reason for breaking the promise.

If you're interested in learning about how US politicians can continually lie and break the promises they make to their voters and still get re-elected, there are several books, publications, and documentaries that can provide insight. Here are some suggestions:

  • "Lying in Politics: Evidence from the US" by Justin Fox: This article in the Journal of Economic Perspectives explores why politicians lie and break promises and how they are able to get away with it.

  • "The Promise" (PBS documentary): This documentary follows the stories of two newly elected representatives, a Democrat and a Republican, and examines the challenges they face in keeping their campaign promises in the face of partisan politics and pressure from special interest groups.

  • "The Influence of Campaign Contributions in State Legislatures" by Beth Miller Vonnahme: This article in the Journal of Politics examines the relationship between campaign contributions and the behavior of state legislators, including their tendency to break campaign promises.

  • "The Broken Branch: How Congress is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track" by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein: This book examines the dysfunction of the US Congress and the ways in which partisanship, special interests, and campaign finance contribute to politicians breaking promises and failing to address the needs of their constituents.

  • "The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story" by Joy-Ann Reid: This book examines the ways in which Donald Trump was able to win the presidency despite his well-documented history of lies and broken promises, and the impact of his presidency on American politics.

These resources can provide a useful starting point for understanding the ways in which politicians are able to break promises and still get re-elected. However, it's important to approach the topic with a critical eye and evaluate information carefully, as the issue is complex and multi-faceted.

If you're interested in ensuring that politicians are held more accountable and follow through with their promises, there are several actions you can take and organizations you can join or support. Here are some suggestions:

  • Educate yourself: Stay informed about the issues and the actions of elected officials. Follow news sources that cover political issues and voting records of elected officials. Become familiar with the political process and the procedures for holding politicians accountable.

  • Hold politicians accountable: Contact your elected representatives and make your opinions and concerns known. Write letters, make phone calls, and attend town hall meetings. Be persistent and hold politicians accountable for their actions and promises.

  • Support political transparency: Support organizations that promote transparency in politics and the political process. Examples of such organizations include the Sunlight Foundation, and OpenSecrets.org.

  • Get involved in politics: Volunteer for political campaigns and become involved in local political organizations. Help elect candidates who have a history of keeping their promises and holding others accountable.

  • Support organizations that promote ethical behavior in politics: Organizations such as Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and the Campaign Legal Center work to promote ethical behavior in politics and hold politicians accountable for any unethical actions they may take.

  • Vote: Make sure you are registered to vote and exercise your right to vote in every election. Hold politicians accountable by voting them out of office if they do not follow through on their promises.

By taking these steps and joining or supporting organizations that promote political transparency and ethical behavior, you can help ensure that politicians are held accountable and that they follow through with their promises. It's important to stay informed, stay engaged, and hold politicians accountable for their actions, both in the short and long term.