It seems that we have to say goodbye to some of the candidates already. After 1 caucus (IA), 1 convention (WY) and 1 primary (NH), we now have 3 less candidates to vote for. The amazing thing is that with less than 1 million people having voted, these men have left the contest. Now, I understand that it takes money to run a campaign, but why get in, if you are not even going to let the vast majority of voters have an opportunity to vote for you? What's the old saying, "in for a penny, in for a pound"? If these men want to be our leaders, they need to be able to discern whether they have enough determination to go the distance. They will certainly need determination if they do become President.
The media does not help the situation. If you listen to the pundits, then maybe more should have dropped out already. The endless polling and the constant drum beat of the media that a candidate must win in Iowa or New Hampshire or it's over, wears on both the candidates and the voters. Approximately one hundred twenty million voters turned out in the 2004 election. So, literally, tens of millions of voters have lost the chance to vote for the candidate of their choice. Those in the media need to reexamine how they report on campaigns. It does not serve our democracy to have the electorate become discouraged and stop voting. Report on all of the candidates. Stop polling and let the voters decide at the ballot box. Just report the news, do not try to predict the future. Leave that to God, He is much better at it.
In 2004, approximately 60% of the eligible voters voted. For various reasons, the remaining eligible voters stayed home. You hear many complaints about the election process. "It's already determined who is going to win." "The politicians just do whatever they want to anyway." "My vote doesn't count." They are RIGHT! The Republican and Democratic parties rely on the party faithful to keep them in power. It is a small number of moderates and independents that tip the balance back and forth. If that 40% of eligible voters would vote, they would turn the political establishments on their heads. Then, no one could determine who was going to win, politicians would listen and your vote would count. They fear the power that you have. So USE it!
2 comments:
Okay, I have to admit - I'm angry & disappointed at Bill Richardson for what he did. I even gave this guy some money! Now, I didn't even have a chance to vote for MY candidate!
I am also angry at the Press for waiting 'til after he dropped out to tell everyone what a great candidate he was.
If you go to Richardson's website, there's not much in the way of explanation. It basically says "So long & thanks for all the fish."
Of course, if his name is on the Florida ballot, I might as well vote for him. They are not counting our votes at the Democratic Convention anyway!
Ok, I want to comment on the media's role in the presidential race and politics in general. I agree that the media machine is biased and they spin what they do report to their own political agenda. They should report all the news, not just what they want you to hear and with far too much opinion and not enough fact. But trying to change that is a losing battle. As long as they patronize and pander to the right people, they will continue to be a source of propaganda.
The American people need to figure out the facts on their own and stop believing everything they see on TV. I have actually had people say to me, "well why would they say it if it isn't true?" This mentality blows my mind. Far too often I see people following the flock instead of thinking for themselves. It is time for individuals to vote for what they believe, for the canidate they believe will best represent their interests. It is not right just because everyone else is doing it. It is not right just because someone tells you it is right.
I believe that every vote does count as long as it is a vote you personally believe to be the right vote, and not one that someone told you is the right vote.
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