Election Day

Today is Election Day.   Here in California, we not only have Senate, Congressional and gubernatorial elections but voting on a variety of propositions that may dramatically affect the already shaky California economy.   For many years, I thought this initiative process … in which new laws can be voted on directly by the voters  … was a good thing, the closest to pure democracy we’ve got.   However, as we, the voters, continue to make decisions that drive the California economy deeper into recession, I’m not so sure.   For example, last year, as we descended into recession together … and California developed a budget deficit that would dwarf the economies of many countries … we voted for a $10 billion dollar bond to build a high speed bullet train which would connect San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego.   This in a state where all mass transportation operates at a deficit, kept afloat only by government subsidies.   We the voters also seem to continue to elect politicians who promise one thing and deliver something else.   By the time you read this, I’ll have already made my early morning pilgrimage to the polls to toss my one vote into the abyss, hoping that perhaps sanity will prevail this year.   If that sounds cynical, it is.

So, it’s Top Sites Tuesday #84 – Two Thoughts on Tuesday and my thoughts are about what should be one of the most precious privileges we have as citizens … and yet I vote without enthusiasm.  Candidates assail my TV with negative ads featuring unflattering photos of their opponents, coupled with character attacks that have little to do with ability to govern.   Opponents records are distorted and taken out of context.   Candidate websites and campaign literature are no better, and if I turn to the media, every newspaper and television station seems to present a one-side view based on its own particular political leanings.   Propositions are supported by special interests and opposed by other special interests, both of whom spend millions on advertising that has little to do with the actual content of the propositions.  At least I can read the exact wording of the propositions in the voter handbook.   So, thought number 1 is this: I find the way our politicians and media disrespect our collective intelligence discouraging … but nowhere as near as discouraging as it would be to know they were right.  Which leads me to thought number 2.

PLEASE VOTE TODAY.  But don’t just vote … think before you vote.   Try to cut through the personal and political innuendo to the essence of what makes a leader.   I know … sometimes it seems like we are settling for the lesser of two idiots … but taking the time to do even that is worthwhile.   If you don’t think and vote, you leave the future to those who simply vote party lines or choose candidates like they buy beer or cereal.   This is a great country … give it the attention it deserves.

And while you’re at it, take the time to vote me Number One on Top Sites Tuesday #84.  Just push my button once … no stuffing the ballot box.

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