Eclectic Home                     Index of Michael Says... Articles                    Shop with Michael
Michael says... Vote for me ?

Recently there were local elections around here. I'm no longer totally skeptical of all those running for office, even where campaign spending far exceeds the compensation the position pays. I've met and know some of these people. Some are genuinely interested in public service. Some, it feeds their ego as well, but every job has to provide some benefit to entice qualified workers. Those who endorse candidates, give or raise funds and otherwise work on their behalf are often interested in what is best for the community rather than to somehow feather their own nest in some way.

You would think if a candidate knocked on your door, he or she is very interested in representing you - having made that effort and allowing you to have your say then, and presumably after their election. I was impressed with one candidate for that effort, but very pleased too with the current mayor's performance.  Then in a newspaper profile and Q&A of all area candidates, I find that the knock on the door candidate admits he hadn't voted in elections for several years now; and had never attended a city council meeting. What??  I could not imagine how someone had the chutzpah to run given that. He explained regarding council meetings he read all the transcripts online. Now I am an extreme internet junkie, BUT know there are interactions, facial (and other) expressions, mumblings and grumblings and other dynamics that transcripts can't capture. I guess I don't have to tell you which of the two I voted for.

In a very small town nearby, there was a three way race in the primary election a few months ago. The two top vote getters were placed on the ballot. The third has been waging an aggressive write-in campaign. If the turnout for the primary had been great, one would have to chalk that up to some ego problem; but the fact is, too many people disregard the importance of primaries (some mayoral candidates even disregard the importance of general elections until they are on the ballot). A few votes can make a big difference, even without our old friend chad's involvement.

It seems to me more and more people are expressing opinions about those representing us - about their personal lives, about the policies they promote, about the decisions they make, about their intelligence or lack thereof. That's good, especially if they've based their opinions on fact. But fact is not enough; if they haven't voted, what right do they have to bitch? Their absence from the polls is the reason the "wrong" person is representing them.

Voted recently?

In related news, a review of all the Florida presidential election ballots conducted by the Miami Herald, its parent company and USA Today indicates Bush still would have won under most recount scenarios. Story. The electoral college system is of course, another story.

posted April 4 - 20, 2001