As I casted my ballot today in the local primaries one thing was missing, the voters. I read earlier in the day that one local jurisdiction had approximately 31 voters cast ballots by 11 a.m. This was in a jurisdiction where borough council had a heated race ongoing for vacant spots. There were 20 candidates vying for 7 open spots on the council. You would think the interesting race would be enough to bring voters out. The 2000 Census reported that 9,242 residents were living in the municipality. This is a frightening. As citizens, I feel that voting is one of the most important thing we can do. I encourage everyone I talk to to get out and vote. Make your voice heard and cast your ballot.
Maybe the media is to blame for the low turnout. I heard very little coverage on the candidates and what platform they were running on. To be honest, I have heard more about low turnout thus far at the polls than I heard pre-election day about the candidates. The only real exception to this rule was in Harrisburg city where the race for mayor was pretty heated. The candidates recently held a debate which included some fairly relevant questions. The problem with the campaigns is that they were run in such a negative light. The mudslinging became overbearing and clouded what the real issues were and how each candidate would respond to them. Maybe politics in general has given voters a sour taste in their mouths. It can take just a few to ruin it for the rest.
Whether it's a Presidential Election or the local town council, elections are very important. This is where voters decide who is put into office and who directly influences policies that affect everyone. For this reason alone, I feel it is very important to be active and vote. Make your voice heard and exercise your right. One of the joys of being American is that we are able to go to the polls and cast a ballot in support of a particular candidate. After all, it only takes a few minutes and can mean the difference in an election.
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Hey Lee, thanks for the Blog link. And yeah I agree with the lack of news coverage for our local candidates. It simple SUCKS. I will also admit, I was one who did not turn out to the polls, really because I did and do not know a thing about any of them. I don't think you should have to dig as deep as you have to, to find info on any of our local representatives.
ReplyDeleteI personally think there should be a local program that actually follows these local officials around and does an actual video bio on them and really points out the positive things these people have accomplished and show the people what they want to do. Rather than a 30 second commercial every now and again bashing the hell out of each other. I mean hey, during the high school football season they have a 1/2 hr show dedicated to just high school football that comes on right after the news, and its done by the same sports reporters that do the standard sports on regular news. Why can't there be a show at least once a week that is thrown right in the face of the general public that informs the voters of what these people are about. And im talking personally and professionally. Really these candidates should be treated more like athletes than some the actual athletes. I realize and know most people aren't and will not make politics their number one hobby and spend countless hours searching for info on someone. So why not the standard NEWS channel who has the power to get info out there to most people go ahead and get a show going with actual info of the candidates. Like show what these people do on there spare time, show who they are so people can relate. Not just interview them in a suit with a microphone, but at there house by the grill.
to me for most people:
Politics are too boring to search for info,
but too important to ignore.
so find the happy medium. put it on the six'0 clock hour while most people are eating dinner.
Jason
Jason-Thanks for the comments. I agree the local news media should have provided more coverage to the election. I also get irritated that when a candidate runs unopposed, they don't do anything as far as running a campaign. I still feel the incumbent should make a platform available to the citizens so that, those that are not aware, are able to see what that person stands for. Thanks again and keep checking back.
ReplyDelete-Lee
I can't blame the media for common folks being ignorant to local politics. It is much easier to understand issues facing your local community. There is no excuse for not participating in city government elections.
ReplyDeleteIt really doesn't matter which man becomes president or what he is doing. Most Federal policies don't have a significant effect on our lives?
The real change happens from the grass roots and works its way up to Capitol Hill. Our judges, senators, and representatives are the ones who make the laws we live by and vote for or against the President's bills.
The striking reality is that most Americans were raised like the the common brecknock and cheviot sheep. They tend to follow the largest herd. Unforetunately, American sheep herds enjoy doing whatever televisons tell them to do.