ACHTUNG: The following is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

“If voting really made a difference, they wouldn’t let you do it.” — Mark Twain

Though I have the highest regard for the author of this quote and most of his commentary, I respectfully disagree. Though I also revere the truth-telling comedy of the late George Carlin, I also disagree with his hilarious take on voting.

I have come to understand after lo, these many years as a news junkie, community journalist and lover of history, that the only power we common folks really have in the good ‘ole USA is at the ballot box. In a supposed democracy or republic, the most precious right we have, even greater than speech or guns, is one that permits us to cast our ballots for a candidate or proposition.

Voting is so important that very rich and powerful businessmen spend vast quantities of money via marketing and advertising. They use these very effective, though seedy and untruthful means to persuade people to approve candidates or issues to enable them to get what they want. Follow the money.

This process is so important that powerful business interests, mostly through the Republican Party, have conned us into believing fewer of us unwashed masses should vote, using the lame excuse that there’s too much voter fraud. This, despite scant evidence.

Those who want to keep things the way there are or march us backwards to a fantasy of “good old days” don’t really want us to vote. They continue the old-fashioned, quaint practice of permitting elections to be held on just four days per year from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on a working day, Tuesday, making it a little more difficult for common folks to find the time to go to the polls.

To be sure, there are absentee ballots, and recent laws have made that process easier, but I still get a sense that the powers that be really don’t want “the rabble” choosing our leaders and decision makers. That point came up last week when the State Legislature considered legalizing recreational marijuana ahead of the November ballot proposition in a cynical effort to keep “those people” from wanting to vote. In the end, they chose to let the question be decided by voters, so we’ll have to see if the working stiffs rise up in righteous indignation to throw the rascals out.

Regardless, don’t forget the only power you actually have is to vote. The deadline to register for the very important Aug. 7 primary with your local village, city or township clerk is Monday, July 9. And don’t be afraid to learn about ways in which you can vote by absentee ballot. And don’t forget to vote in the Nov. 6 general election as well.

For more information, go to https://www.dmv.org/mi-michigan/voter-registration.php