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02/05/2008: "Get Out And Vote!"

As a people, I don't think there's a more spoiled bunch than we Americans. We ask for a lot - and usually get it - and not much is asked of us. We live in relative prosperity and relative health and relative peace, we have enough to eat, our kids get schooled, and when we go to sleep at night, we know we'll probably not be killed before morning. There's a reason why so many are so desperate to come here.

Today is one of those rare times when we are asked to act - election day. Today, across California and 23 other states, voters will cast their ballots for the candidates of their choice and for or against a series of propositions. There is no more important or precious obligation of living in a democracy. When people talk fighting for liberty, or dying for one's country, this is what they were fighting and dying for - the simple right to have your voice heard. For those of us who inherited this gift, it is easy to undervalue it. But ask anyone who has been to war - they understand.

State leaders claim that today's election, with controversial candidates and propositions, will generate one of the largest voter turnouts in many years, as nearly 8 million Californians are expected to cast a ballot. Yet the population of California is nearly 37 million - that means this "wonderful turnout" is really only around 25 percent. That, quite frankly, is pathetic. There is no reason why you should not vote today. If time or convenience is an issue, you can vote by mail as I do. If you work, your employer is required by law to give you the time needed to visit a polling place. If you do not vote today, it will only be because you chose not to.

The California primary elections were traditionally held in early June, and were moved up to be part of "Super Tuesday". The reasoning was that while the candidates were more than happy to hold fundraisers in California - and then spend that money in Iowa and New Hampshire - the contests were long settled before the primaries arrived in California. Critics felt the move would have no effect, but they were clearly wrong - both parties held debates in Southern California, and the candidates have all spent a lot of time in the state. A good decision, indeed.

It doesn't matter who you vote for today. You can vote for your cat if that is your choice. What is important is that you exercise your right - and your obligation - to get out and vote.

Replies: 3 Comments

On Wednesday, February 6th, Ravelling T said:

I remember when I was a little boy (well, teenager, really) sitting on a pleasure boat on the Brecon & Abergavenny canal (Wales, Europe) listening to a U.S. Forces broadcast exhorting people to vote and pointing out that it was not just a right - also a duty.

I agreed with the thinking and have always voted since. But as disillusion with our parliamentarians grows (partly due to the media emphasising more the funding issues which have always gone on), fewer and fewer youngsters are voting.

It opens the way for a sudden, surprise, surge of some extreme political party almost "out of the blue" and that could be just as serious as terrorists or foreign wars.....if it happens.

On Wednesday, February 6th, MarlinNut said:

>It opens the way for a sudden, surprise, surge of some extreme political party

We're seeing that kind of surprise surge now - albeit in a positive way - with the candidacy of Barack Obama. His youth and energy have excited the college age voters in a way not seen since Kennedy. Fortunately, his politics aren't a threat - but the point is well taken.

On Thursday, February 7th, Ravelling T said:

Well pointed out.

I don't see Obama as a threat to democracy/freedom in the U.S. (or anywhere else) but would be distinctly nervous if anyone with views to the right of (say) Rush Limbaugh suddenly enthused folks (who don't bother to vote now) in a future election.

I wonder if I'm more frightened of the far right than the far left ?
No, it's just that I can't think of a far left character (who is well known) just at the moment.