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Election won’t work without you
Published Monday, May 5, 2008
Former Speaker of the House the late Rep. Tip O’Neill was famously quoted as saying, “All politics is local.”
And he was correct.
If you don’t believe that look no further than the never-ending campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president this year. The Democrats have been campaigning for what seems like two years already.
During their campaign, they don’t just head to the big cities; they head to small towns all across America.
Why? Because Tip was correct.
Politics IS local.
And perhaps that’s no more obvious than a local, municipal election. Today, Natchez voters will head to the polls in a Democratic primary to select the city’s leadership for the next four years.
In several races — barring possible run-offs — with no Republican or independent opponents, today’s race may decide who’s running the city for the next 48 months.
First, we urge all registered voters to head to the polls and vote. Only when an informed electorate stands up and lets their voices be heard does our form of government truly reach its potential.
In other countries, changes in power often come as a result of military might or violence.
In America, thank God, we use our brains and our fingers to select our representatives in government.
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Violence isn't necessary when only one party is running.
Posted by dangyankee (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No matter what our brains may imagine, our fingers have only limited options when it comes to voting: Hmmmm . . . let's see . . . Phillip (set my people free!) West or that other guy, or guys. Barack "we want change!" Obama or Hillary "who else can we kill?" Clinton or whathisnuts, the Republican, the slobberingly demented guy, McCain?
Candidates don't run for office these days because they want to make our world better for the proverbial "little guy" (or gal): They want only the power to change their own little worlds, to their advantage.
It really does not matter which power-seeker "we, the people" elect: Within very few months, or weeks, about half of us will hate him or her, and the other half will be loving him, or her.
I'm beginning to wonder if elected officials really are necessary, and, in fact, if they don't generally do more harm than good, simply by virtue of the fact that they apparently lust for the power, itself, more than what they might do for the "common good" with that power.
No, I won't waste any gas driving to the polling place tomorrow, and won't waste any time standing in line to vote for Jackal A over Jackal B. I would rather spend the time with my cats and dogs, who, despite being mostly Southern by birth, manage still to treat each other with kindness and respect.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dangyankee, Be careful. We wouldn't want you to become cynical.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amend!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dangyankee...you should take your cynicism back home to your cats and dogs...where you from anyway?...ever thought about going BACK!
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The four different kinds of yankees...I bet he is kind # 2 the kind that moves down here and complains ...but they stay...lol...
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like a carpetbaggar!
Posted by dangyankee (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Me? Cynical? Nahhhh . . . . Just wanted to see if I could get a rise out of anybody.
Sammohon, I hail from a state with a star on the precious Confederate flag.
redusmfan, what are the 4 different types of yankees? I've never heard that one. Yes, I complain, but generally only about politicians and the Natchez economy, as well as a few local gossip factories--but I stay for the climate and the place I live, AND the river. So which type am I?
rushinghjr, it is "carpetbagger." But no, I am not--my only luggage is made of some synthetic nylon-type thing, and I work for a company based in Nashville. I did buy some actual carpetbags once at a second-hand store in Kansas City for some friends who were moving to Omaha, of all places, which made them kind of "reverse carpetbaggers." Ain't it funny how the world works, sometimes?
Gee . . . headline says Mayor "rehire the criminals if they are my friends" West LOST. Ain't it a shame.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
West lost... ain't it wonderful. By the way, your sarcasm wasn't lost on me, I quite enjoyed it.
Politicians are paid to lie, especially on the national level.
I could do without the whining, but hey, this is America; we can say whatever we wish.
Ain’t it grand!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 12:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dangyankee...some of those stars on the Confederate flag, depending on which one you're citing, were, in effect, just wishful thinking, but I'll give you credit if you quit calling yourself a yankee and pronounce that you are southernese...how's that?...LOL
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sometimes, rarely and sometimes only once in a lifetime, people have a chance to vote for a genuinely good man . He/she runs for office in a sincere effort to improve the lives of his fellow men and not for personal gain. He/she put themselves on the line, in front of their families, friends, and peers...it's a noble cause, it's a noble inspiration.
It's sad the bad apples have made the electorate so cynical...Chick doesn't need this job. Chick didn't really want this job, he may regret he took this job, but he understood how many people thought he could make difference with his vision, personality and perserverence.
Give him a chance...he'll change your mind if you listen. He believes in Natchez, I believe in Natchez, maybe you should too.
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