Saturday, November 1, 2014

Does Anyone Know There's an Election This Tuesday?


Kalo Mina.  May you have a good month.  That’s what Greeks say to each other at the beginning of a new month.

This November 1st in the US, I dare not think what Americans are saying to one another, for we’re three days away from Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Election Day. On that day a host of local, state, and national elected offices are up for grabs (word used advisedly).  At the national level it’s all 435 seats in the House of Representatives (representing 300+ million citizens, compared to Greece’s 300 Members of Parliament for 11 million citizens) plus approximately one-third of the 100-member Senate.  This is called the mid-term elections, because it’s in the middle of President Obama’s final four-year term as POTUS.

What I wonder is, are elections actually upon us or are we sleepwalking through some existential detached stupor? I’m certain that for those running for office it’s definitely real, and undoubtedly anxiety inducing. There’s a lot at stake for the candidates.  For example, getting elected to Congress likely sets one for life, assuming the candidate’s not already rich when he or she decides to run.  There’s a 5P universal truth at work here: Political Power Portends Profitable Perks.

I’ve spent the last ten days in Arizona and Texas where there’s a ubiquitous white noise drumming away in the background, a cacophony of voices engaged in name calling and verbal finger pointing…much like an unsupervised kindergarten.  For the life of me, though, I couldn’t tell you who’s the Republican and who’s the Democrat—no one seems to want to own up to being a member of either party—and if you ask me who to believe…fuggedaboudit. I’m sure it’s the same in the other 48 states.


Nothing is above politicizing.  In Houston, the tragic death of a sheriff’s deputy in a head on collision with a just released meth addict drew barbs from a district attorney candidate at the current DA suggesting that the deputy died because the DA failed to put the addict away for a longer period of time. And Ebola draws hysterical reactions from all sides, as candidates demonstrate their decided lack of character by exploiting fear without regard to medical evidence or compassion. All that matters is whether it might help get them elected.

I frankly tune it all out, recognizing as I do, that undoubtedly I’m doing precisely what one or another candidate’s media consultant wants me to do: Turn from a voter who should care into one who no longer cares.

The candidates all come across as the same.  From top to bottom.  No matter who wins the government will likely do nothing for the next two years. Gridlock will continue, the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare will be attacked without regard to how much good it’s actually doing for so many, rhetoric will rage against ISIS and the horrid, rapidly deteriorating world situation while inaction reigns, and all issues facing our country will be subservient to whatever is thought expedient toward gaining or retaining control of The White House—except in so far as the prime directive of our political system is threatened: Above all else, do whatever it takes to make sure you’re elected again…and again…and again.


We are an electorate that doesn’t care or has given up hope, allowing those with vested interests at stake to prosper.  But there is a dark side to a demoralized people, one shared with Greece:  The death of hope creates fertile ground for demagoguery, and it’s taking root in both lands.

The question is, what are those who should care willing to do about it before it’s too late?

Such as vote on Tuesday for whomever you think best for the future of our country.



Jeff—Saturday

11 comments:

  1. Well said, Jeff. What is even more depressing is that it seems to be an almost universal feeling about government these days - at least in democracies. It's almost as though having a democracy is all that matters and after that you expect the worst possible government - in other words exactly the opposite of what one ought to expect. South Africa is not Western in that sense, but all our election did this year was to reelect all the politicians whose only constructive aim was to enrich themselves. Very discouraging.

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  2. I agree, Michael. There seems to be general malaise among non-vested interest voters in western democracies. It's almost as if all hope has left them at finding effective or even honest leaders.

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  3. Sorry, Jeff, I can not vote this Tuesday (I dropped off my ballot a couple of days ago... Oregon's vote by mail is wonderful! I always hated driving to the local precinct voting location, it was always after work, dark, and being November in western Oregon, usually raining).

    That said, the ONLY way we're going to have a hope of reforming the situation (here in the U.S. at least) (and I do stress HOPE) is to get "big money" out of elections, and with the current 'supreme' court, that means changing the constitution such that 'money' is not SPEECH and corporations are not PEOPLE. That's why this year was the first time EVER that I've contributed anything to any political campaign, and that was to the https://mayday.us/ MayDay PAC, a PAC to end all PACs. It's unlikely to succeed, but as you alluded, nothing will change if we do nothing.

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  4. My God, I'm actually agreeing with you, EvKa! There is no question money is what decides who governs us. And with media everywhere making so VERY much out of electioneering, there is very little chance of a groundswell of public opinion (translation: media) changing things. As for the Supreme Court...fugedaboudit.

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  5. This is an excellent piece! I thought it was written by AnnaMaria - and was surprised to see your name! Thelma Straw in Manhattan who truly enjoys this site often!

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    1. Uhh, I think I'm supposed to take that as a compliment, so if so, thank you, Thelma. :)

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  6. I am despairing about the future of our country.The population has become larger and a natural conservatism
    sets. Unfortunately, like spoiled children,we want more, faster and not so much, kindness.It is still my hope that kindness and caring and generosity of spirit will prevail.

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    1. 'Tis just the wheel of time, Lil, the season of the culture. "This, too, shall pass." We old farts may not live to see it, but it shall. However, regardless of the state of the wheel of time, kindness and caring and generosity of spirit is always available to those who wish it. Case in point: all those kind souls hereabouts!

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  7. This election madness has not helped my recently diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, Jeff. I'm not sure if it was caused by this electoral cycle and the ridiculous aspects of campaigns, PACs and other assorted screeching banshees, but I've taken the bull by the horns and voted early, as is allowed here where I live. I can only encourage others to do the same, where possible, and if not, show up tomorrow at the polling precincts and make your voice heard in the way that counts most! And now, Louise! My pills!

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    1. The thought of you, Jody, taking the bull by the horns give me arrythmia! Thank God it's all controllable by meds. Just make sure that you-know-who doesn't slip grapefruit juice into his concoctions for you. Feel better...don't think about tomorrow.

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