I voted in the city election today. This may have been the first time I have ever done so. For the past 12 years we've lived in the country; for 3 years before that I wasn't a registered voter because I was in a temporary situation; and I don't really remember if I ever voted much at all before that (I might have, but I didn't really care).
Anyway, I went to the branch library near our house this morning on my way to the office, and it took me about 2 minutes to walk in, give them my drivers license, sign in, and cast my vote. I didn't even have to wait.
This may also be the first time I have ever voted a straight party ticket too. I knew who I was voting for in the mayoral election (although it's a toss up if I was more voting 'for' a candidate or 'against' a candidate - a little of both), and I knew one of the other candidates... and since they were both in the same party and there were only a couple other positions to vote on... I just went with a straight ticket. And, just like with the mayoral vote, I don't know if I was voting more 'for' the one party or 'against' the other. That's kind of the sad thing about the partisan nature of our politics today.
While I'm talking about politics... I've read a couple of posts this morning about how "we need to get out there and vote if we want to change anything"... or "we can't complain about things if we don't vote"... You know, I don't believe that. At all. I mean, I think it's good to vote. Sometimes. But I have no problem with people who don't either. I don't think people who don't vote shouldn't be able to voice their displeasure at the "system." Because simply voting for people who are WITHIN the "system" does not do anything to change the "system." Let's face it, by and large, the problem is not usually that we have bad candidates getting elected over good candidates... The SYSTEM ITSELF is the problem. So simply inserting different people into a faulty equation is not going to change much. Sure, it will help in a few small ways. But at some point we are going to need to address some systemic changes... Or change is going to be forced upon us. But that's just what I think, and I know that some of you who read here don't put a whole lot of stock in anything I think. So... whatever.
Peace out; and in.
3 comments:
I diligently voted in national elections since I first could, and in many local elections, too. But having recently finished "The Kingdom of God is Within You," I think I am not going to vote any more. Because as you say, it doesn't change the fundamental problems, and in fact, IMHO, voting gives our implicit consent to the ongoing issues, because it says, "Yes, the system works." When it doesn't.
Good point, Jim, I have actually been thinking of not voting again also (though I really didn't like this one mayoral candidate, so I HAD to vote today). It's not that I don't like politicians. I actually think most of them are probably very good people who really do want to do good. So then I think, is it really going to make any difference if this basically good person gets elected over that one... because none of them are perfect, and no one person can fix what's wrong anyway.
I don't know... sometimes I think all of life is just one compromise after another. But then again, we're all human, and we're all just trying to do our best. I know I am NOT looking forward to the next 12 months worth of campaign rhetoric.
(and my word verification word is "demonsun")
Dad,
Great post!
Jim,
I read (most of) "The Kingdom of God is Within You" a little while back and it definitely played a major role in my decision not to vote, too.
isaac
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