William Bryan: “And I say that we all lament the declining participation in the political electoral process in America. The 1996…”

“And I say that we all lament the declining participation in the political electoral process in America. The 1996 election turnout was said to be the lowest since 1920. I would offer this as at least a significant contributing factor. There is no question the folks back home are pretty upset with those of us who serve in the Congress. I believe that that is their thought, seeing each party and each of us who are part of this system--I want to be clear, Mr. President, I include myself as being part of this system--who are forced to go out there and raise these inordinate, scandalous amounts of money to be competitive--to be competitive. In the State of Nevada, it was about $3.5 million for my last campaign for reelection to the U.S. Senate. They see this. And I think it has engendered a sense of public cynicism that all of this money that is involved--I believe in the public mind, they frequently link the big money, the big contributors to the political system that we have today. And because most of them are not in the category of being big money contributors, they have been turned off. The system no longer works for them, the system is no longer responsive to their needs, is their perception. So, as a result, I hear good people, Democrats and Republicans alike, in increasing and in alarming numbers saying, ``I'm not going to vote. I'm not going to vote.'' I do not agree with that proposition and get into spirited discussions. ``What difference does my vote make?…”