“Democracy isn’t a spectator sport.” We’ve all heard that, its meaning clear. Yet, it might help if politics became more of one. Then, some people would at least know who’s playing for whom and what their stats are before choosing a victor. With such poor voter participation, it’s amazing that this nation has remained relatively free and sovereign for as long as it has. I keep thinking our democracy must have been better exercised in the past, but it’s hard to believe that it has been any leaner or meaner. Meanwhile, many of those adversely affected remain crippled by their own apathy, disinterested in any part of such exertion and expecting someone else to carry their water.

A current survey reveals that an embarrassingly large portion of Americans can’t even name the three branches of government. Time magazine recently displayed a picture of Joe Biden accompanied by his name and “U.S. Vice President.” Sorry, Joe. Sorry, even more so, to our founding fathers. Many people, in directing anger at members of Congress, don’t even know who their own legislators are. Another pol revealed that one third of Americans don’t know that Republicans have the majority in the U.S. House. But, not knowing what the House does, or how it operates, nor caring to find out, what difference would that fact make in their assessment of why we are in the divisive mess we all now suffer?

If the House and Senate were sports franchises far more people would well know the current score and all principal players.

Like the bloodsport allure of final playoffs, at election time those only marginally interested in the game finally tune in. They often pick a team or contestant by the attractiveness of branding, or name recognition, or some inherent loyalty, and start rooting. Many decide to favor a candidate solely on whether or not they have been picked by someone else as most favored to win. America loves picking a sure bet. It’s rarely about how the game is played, but all about winning and losing. And, especially about getting even.

The beauty of casual sports interest is that at the end of the day, win or loose, it really doesn’t have any serious consequence in one’s life. You aren’t going to get laid off because your team tanks or, actually sweeping the series, gets pummeled in the next season. Your energy bills aren’t going to go through the roof because there is a change-up in player positions. No one’s health coverage will be affected because a franchise changes ownership.

The game of politics, however, demands at least minimal ongoing attention throughout the season if one is going to select a lineup that might actually have a shot at becoming a winning team. It isn’t exactly dream team stuff, but it’s the only chance we have to ever coming close.

Most people hate the whole voting process because, despite professed patriotism, they know their shirked responsibility and well realize their inept skillset in attempting to get up to speed. It becomes an exam they haven’t prepared for. They haven’t done their homework and they know it. Even those familiar with the major races can find themselves clueless in the voting booth when considering who to choose for district attorney or county commissioner. Deciding who is best suited for decision making shouldn’t come down to a Red, Blue, or Green fail-safe.

The really scary part is that way too many candidates haven’t done their homework either. What homework they do is to find out exactly how little real preparation they need to be able to deflect attention from how little mastery they have of real leadership. Their eye is on the prize, and the prize is getting elected and staying elected. If time and inclination allow, actual command of the issues will come later after the promises of competent representation have achieved victory.

That’s because so few who are really qualified are willing to put themselves through the often humiliating and offensive spectacle of seeking office. That anyone runs for office is astounding in itself. And, when a truly qualified candidate does appear, how can they even get the attention of those that see all politicians as being the same and who so often vote self-interest single-issue over the general good.

Ideally, we should applaud both sides of the aisle, both sides working towards common goals. Intractable ideology works against that and ultimately poisons the electoral process, but no one said democracy was easy. The smoke and mirrors turnoff of attack ads isn’t sufficient excuse to sit out the game. Not voting is the lamest option, and when everybody knows that gridlock can’t seem to ever unlock itself from partisanship, continuing a gross ignorance of who is playing on which team toward what end zone is beyond stupid. Repeatedly, Americans choose a Red candidate for House representation and then turn around and choose Blue for the Senate. What part of that absurdity do we think isn’t absurd?

Whatever our politics, let’s get real.

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Gary Anderson lives in Bath.