The Importance of
PUBLIC OPINION
THE HEAD OF OUR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT , TODD ADKINS , ANSWERS QUESTIONS CONCERNING AMERICANS ’ ATTITUDES TOWARD HUNTING , THE MECHANISMS OF GOVERNMENT AND PROTECTING OUR PASSIONS .
By Brian Lynn
SPORTSMEN ’ S ADVOCATE : In your feature article on “ cancel culture ,” ( page 28 ) you spend a lot of time discussing how important American public opinion is when we think about the future . Could you explain a bit more about how that works ?
Todd Adkins : This is a critical issue that is often overlooked . While it is true that we do not live in a direct democracy , there is a clear connection between what the people “ want ” and what government does .
In our republic , our elected officials do our bidding in government , or at least are expected to function as our delegates , and this is where elections serve as a regular check on whether officials carry through and do what we want . But there is always a time lag there .
SA : Many claim the system is corrupt and officials only do what the rich and powerful want . Are you saying that majority opinion actually rules in America ?
TA : Yes , but not in the way most people think . You cannot take a poll today and expect the Congress or the president to act tomorrow on the “ results ” of that poll . Our founders did not want a system that is “ on ” or “ off ” like that . That leads to tyranny of the majority , and James Madison and others put barriers in our Constitution so that will not happen or is minimized .
On the other hand , once public opinion becomes clearly in favor of one policy or another , our three branches of government do respond , but over time , not immediately . This lag between opinion and government action is a good thing , not a bad one and is how our system is designed .
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