I voted in Indiana's primary election at 3:30pm yesterday and, including my wife and I, 185 out of about 1600 eligible voters had voted in our precinct. Just more than 10%! Given the career politicians on both sides of the isle and apparent underhandedness, I understand the frustration and apathy. But unless people get out and vote our elected officials are elected by the majority of voters, NOT the majority of "the people".
The frustration and apathy stem from all of the corruption we see daily from elected officials. Dick Lugar (R) Indiana who is the longest serving US Senator lost that primary in a landslide. Lugar didn't maintain a residence in Indiana therefore could not vote in the primary, but he still ran as an Indiana candidate. Huh?
Just to the south, Richie Farmer (R), Kentucky's former Agriculture Secretary's administration was audited with multiple discrepancies found and the information turned over to state and federal authorities for potential criminal charges. He had just ran a loosing bid for Lt. Governor in Last November. These guys are gutsy...and stupid!
This is not a bash on Republicans, I am one myself. These are just two examples of the reason for the frustration and apathy. There are plenty of stories to keep us busy.
There are good people out there who want to serve in these capacities but don't for various reasons. One big reason these people don't run is the scrutiny that the candidate and his/her family might go through because we ALL have "skeletons in the closet". The toll on the family could be excruciating depending on the office being sought. Also there is the fact that candidates need money and time to get their name out. So it is the belief that only the wealthy can run for elected office because those wealthy individuals have both time and money.
I think the way we begin the process of bringing voters back to the voting booths is to somehow get the career politicians out of office and get the new Council members and state and federal Representatives and Senators to legislate term limits for themselves. That way there would be no little kingdoms established. We should NEVER have someone who has been elected stay there past 2 terms.
The frustration and apathy stem from all of the corruption we see daily from elected officials. Dick Lugar (R) Indiana who is the longest serving US Senator lost that primary in a landslide. Lugar didn't maintain a residence in Indiana therefore could not vote in the primary, but he still ran as an Indiana candidate. Huh?
Just to the south, Richie Farmer (R), Kentucky's former Agriculture Secretary's administration was audited with multiple discrepancies found and the information turned over to state and federal authorities for potential criminal charges. He had just ran a loosing bid for Lt. Governor in Last November. These guys are gutsy...and stupid!
This is not a bash on Republicans, I am one myself. These are just two examples of the reason for the frustration and apathy. There are plenty of stories to keep us busy.
There are good people out there who want to serve in these capacities but don't for various reasons. One big reason these people don't run is the scrutiny that the candidate and his/her family might go through because we ALL have "skeletons in the closet". The toll on the family could be excruciating depending on the office being sought. Also there is the fact that candidates need money and time to get their name out. So it is the belief that only the wealthy can run for elected office because those wealthy individuals have both time and money.
I think the way we begin the process of bringing voters back to the voting booths is to somehow get the career politicians out of office and get the new Council members and state and federal Representatives and Senators to legislate term limits for themselves. That way there would be no little kingdoms established. We should NEVER have someone who has been elected stay there past 2 terms.
No comments:
Post a Comment