Why do we vote?

 Voting is a fundamental democratic right. At the very least, it makes us feel good that we have our say in who get to run the country, but how much power do we really have? 

I recall a quote I read a while ago which goes like, You need money from the rich and votes from the poor and promise both to protect from each other. I can't remember who the author was but it was spot-on in our system.

Remember Bernie Sanders? There was a time so many people thought he will be the next President for sure. Boy were they wrong ! The corporate world never really trusted him, and he could not raise enough money. Electoral funds can make or break a candidate, the more you raise the better are your chances at winning. Now officially these are 'donations' but considering the amount, e.g., millions and billions of US$, I think the donors consider this more as an investment. Imagine someone donated $100 million in your election, they can certainly expect at least $500 million net profit in return. Deals need to be struck behind closed doors and honoured in due course. The common voters don't need to know, at least not before the elections anyway. One might say, surely they are donating out of the goodness of their heart? Well, sweet child, I don't see them donating the same amount to orphanages or homeless shelters (even if their own shell companies are building those).

One might say, well we common folk will stand united and vote so big money can't influence us. Let me paint a scenario here. Imagine in a constituency only 60% goes to vote - which is pretty normal. Now imagine there are 3 candidates, A, B and C. Of all the votes cast, A gets 50%, B gets 30% and C gets 20%. Obviously A gets elected. Why? That person got only 30% vote of the total electorate, but gets to represent them all. One can say the 40% that didn't turn up to vote should not count. Why not? their well-being is tied to this person. One can argue that none of the candidates could motivate them enough to turn up to vote. In essence they were not happy with anyone including A, so this their opinion on him was unfavorable. Still he (or she) gets to represent them. Besides even if we consider only the votes cast, it was 50-50. Equal amount of vote was against A, still that person won as the votes were divided. Again one can argue, by sheer technicality. 

I still think democracy is the best form of government, but can we not discuss a software update?