Every freaking election is the most important. The local elections change the shape of the community most rapidly, and I have seen what happens when radical right wingers get hold of the town government or school board. It’s ugly.
Democracy is a second string beauty and talent show. Coming this fall, two new TV shows with toll phone call voting: “Whose Idea Was That” and “America’s Got Q Factor”.
I vote in every election, and serve as an election judge. But if you are in a gerrymandered district where the incumbent will get 65% of the vote, and there aren’t any downballot races that you are invested in, it’s hard to see that voting is that important in that election.
Unfortunately, thanks to Roone Arledge, our democracy (what’s left of it) is a sport. When he took over ABC news, he turned it into ABC Sports, and turned politics into “the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the human drama of competition.” In other words, he turned the coverage of politics into another sporting event… and a government that depends on establishing compromises in which nobody gets everything they want but everybody gets what they need is fundamentally incompatible with sport, which is all about separating winners from losers. In sport, there is no compromise. Second place is just the first loser. It’s complete victory or nothing. A republic can’t work that way… and because we’ve raised a couple generations on the idea that politics is just another sporting event, another horse race or football game, our republic is on the verge of not working.
Most of us live in states where it doesn’t matter who we vote for as President, it’s already been predetermined. The Congressional seats, state and local elections are the only ones where my vote does count. And no politician has the honesty or integrity to try to dissolve the Electoral College.
cdward 5 months ago
Every freaking election is the most important. The local elections change the shape of the community most rapidly, and I have seen what happens when radical right wingers get hold of the town government or school board. It’s ugly.
Meg: Cute as a Raccoon 5 months ago
Yes, you are.
carlosrivers 5 months ago
It’s not a game either…
donut reply 5 months ago
Local politicians and issues have more affect on your daily life than national issues. Especially taxes.
PoodleGroomer 5 months ago
Democracy is a second string beauty and talent show. Coming this fall, two new TV shows with toll phone call voting: “Whose Idea Was That” and “America’s Got Q Factor”.
ZBicyclist Premium Member 5 months ago
I vote in every election, and serve as an election judge. But if you are in a gerrymandered district where the incumbent will get 65% of the vote, and there aren’t any downballot races that you are invested in, it’s hard to see that voting is that important in that election.
puddleglum1066 5 months ago
Unfortunately, thanks to Roone Arledge, our democracy (what’s left of it) is a sport. When he took over ABC news, he turned it into ABC Sports, and turned politics into “the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the human drama of competition.” In other words, he turned the coverage of politics into another sporting event… and a government that depends on establishing compromises in which nobody gets everything they want but everybody gets what they need is fundamentally incompatible with sport, which is all about separating winners from losers. In sport, there is no compromise. Second place is just the first loser. It’s complete victory or nothing. A republic can’t work that way… and because we’ve raised a couple generations on the idea that politics is just another sporting event, another horse race or football game, our republic is on the verge of not working.
AndromedaMike 5 months ago
Most of us live in states where it doesn’t matter who we vote for as President, it’s already been predetermined. The Congressional seats, state and local elections are the only ones where my vote does count. And no politician has the honesty or integrity to try to dissolve the Electoral College.