Politics for the People!
Politics for the People!
As we look forward to the inauguration of a new president, it would be all too easy to forget the events subsequent to Election 2000. Probably the most disheartening effect of the time from November 8th to December 12th was hearing the numbers of people who were just tired of hearing about it. Were they indifferent to the process? Were they not concerned that the Election Board of Miami-Dade County was subjected to intimidation and a near riot by persons who were not Miami-Dade citizens and who had been imported into the state at the expense of a political party hoping to effect the result they got? Do we not worry that we are in serious trouble when our major political parties resort to such tactics and no one seems to find it alarming? Do we really believe the candidate of the party had nothing to do with such tactics? Does such a person qualify to lead us?
If these questions make you uncomfortable,
I have to wonder what you will do about it. Will looking away and not
thinking about it take away the discomfort? Or is it like a sore tooth,
causing sharp pangs that make you look for relief? Now, more than any
time in our nation's history, we have to take a hard look at our election
process. Was the near riot at the office of the canvassing board a taste
of things to come? Will we see and allow voters to be intimidated by people
whose aim is to frighten them away from the polls? Will political parties
send thugs into opposing party strongholds to intimidate voters? Will
winning elections depend on who can be kept from getting votes rather
than how many votes a candidate wins? Will armed guards be necessary to
protect our polling places? Will it be necessary to have international
observers to assure the fairness of our elections? What a horrifying picture
that would be! It sounds like the description of the polling process in
some 3rd world country or one ruled by a totalitarian government. It sounds
like something that could never happen here, in the land of the free and
the home of the brave. Or could it?
This is our government! Let's take it back. Let's start campaigning now! Let's make our voices heard by writing to our representatives and senators. Let's flood them with e-mail demanding election reform. Let's demand that the electoral process be responsive to the will of the people. Let's write letters to the editors of our local papers and let's make calls to television and radio stations. Most of all, let's not sit silent. Let us make it clear that we will not allow our destinies to be determined by people who have no concept of the challenges we face every day. Let's become more to them that campaign rhetoric. Let's be the thorn in their side!
Peggy Erickson
1/11/01