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
Don’t always agree with you, but hard to argue on this one.
A lot of school millage or bond proposals, seem to come up when seniors are going to or still out of State..
With the vote being a powerful action, we can and due in up with people or proposals getting approved. And shortly after many who voted for these people or proposals, see the error and are unable to change the situation…because they have been misled.
Removal of people from office , or repealing a millage, or taxation issue, can be done but is near impossible..
A!so many fail to except the outcome of the decision by the voters ….So instead of moving ahead they take steps backward..
Power of the vote is awesome if used intelligently, but if only driven by emotion it can lead to turmoil.
I like that you mentioned absentee ballots, David. At age 60 I learned about them and my eligibility to vote absentee when the Republican Party sent me info and an application to send to my township clerk. I figured they got their wires crossed somewhere. I’ve not missed an election or voting on any proposal since. And I always vote Democrat. Thank you GOP!
I treasure my right to vote. I have done so since turning voting age. I have voted for members of both major political parties, but I definitely trend toward one over the other. I am embarrassed the the American public votes in such low numbers; people from some other places wish they had free and fair elections. I view as an obligation that the electorate to take seriously the obligation to inform themselves. Doing so takes a little effort, but, to me, it’s important.