THE BRIDGE: To Vote or Not to Vote
By
Darryl James
This
November, a lot is riding on elections around the nation. In addition
to the presidential election, various propositions will be on the
ballots from state to state. In Florida, cries of "Never Again,"
accompany voter registration activists, who vow that the debacle surrounding
the 2000 presidential election will not be repeated.
While too many people think it is enough to repeat the myriad voting
slogans designed to motivate the masses, I believe that real discussion
on the voting process, the right to vote and the effectiveness of
voting has to occur.
For example, those who speak of "one man, one vote," refuse
to explain the Electoral College and how it can mitigate the popular
vote. That has only happened once in history (with Rutherford B. Hayes,
who became president based on the Electoral vote, even though he lost
the popular vote), but in a climate of hanging, swinging and missing
chads, anything could happen.
The Electoral College was designed as a buffer between the people
and the actual selection of the president, because the racist, sexist
and classist founding fathers did not trust the average citizen. It
was also designed to give smaller states more power.
In all but two states, the winner of the most votes from the people
takes all of the Electoral votes for that state. However, in Maine
and Nebraska, Electoral votes go to the winner in each of those states'
congressional districts, saving two for the statewide winner. Confusing,
huh?
Until we provide more clarity on the voting process as well as the
candidates, we will continue to provide little inspiration for the
masses to vote.
Our ancestors died so that we would have the right to vote, but after
the horrible events in Florida in 2000, many people just may exercise
the right to not vote. Unless, of course, they hear more than the
usual slogans and platitudes. We have to remember that since the Big
'80's, the American people have been more concerned with big cars
than social programs, and more concerned with gas prices than educating
our children.
Please don't believe this is a Black thing, because whites have problems
turning out the voters as well.
And the party line demagogues don't make things any better.
On the Democrat side, every Black Democrat assumes that all Blacks
should join this party, failing to discuss difficulties that we should
have with the party. For example, does anyone want to talk about how
the Democrats have a habit of taking Blacks for granted, knowing that
our vote can almost always be counted on? And if the best we can do
for a Democratic presidential candidate is one of the Soul Curl Brothers
(Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton), why would the party take us seriously?
On the Republican side, the Black conservatives espousing "American"
values, fail to take the party to task for it's elitist, classist,
and racist "values." I agree that we need not be so loyal
to one party, but if the racism in the Republican party can not be
dampened and the Blacks who join the party are mostly boot licking
lackeys, then there is very little to inspire more of us to join.
The racist conservatives who populate the Republican Party are all
about big business and rich, white men.
In addition, there can be no pure alignment based on skin color in
any party.
Aside from the Soul Curl Brothers, Blacks should have had difficulties
with the likes of Mayor Wilson Goode in Philadelphia (who burned poor
folks out of public housing) and Mayor Tom Bradley (who allowed LA
Police Chief Darryl Gates to run rampant) who were both Black.
And, the mere fact that Alan Keyes is supported by anyone is an embarrassment
and a slap in the face, especially when coupled with the specter of
Trent Lott.
The bottom line is that politics can be confusing and intimidating.
So, what then, can help to turn out the vote? To begin with, inspiring
candidates, such as Barack Obama in Illinois, who has inspired both
Blacks and whites across the nation with his speech at the Democratic
National Convention. Secondly, a real voter education program, to
explain the entire voting process as well as the impact of voting
would do wonders for boosting voter registration.
The truth about both parties may also help.
For example, it would be nice if Republicans admitted that Georgie
is moderately mentally retarded and a warmonger. They would garner
more respect if they admitted that the most conservative of the party
care very little about people of color, or people without money.
Even though Georgie is "Bushwhacking" the world, it would
also be nice if the truth about Senator John F. Kerry were still told.
Kerry is nowhere near the young idealistic man who emerged from Vietnam.
Prior to the first presidential debate, his line for Iraq was a "quick
exit." However, during that debate, he spoke of "winning"
the war. This hypocrisy smacks of Vietnam. There can be no winning
such a war.
The difference between the two candidates, is the difference between
the fox and the wolf. They are both rich, white men who are for big
corporations.
Kerry may be appear more palatable to Blacks, but we should still
keep him in a realistic perspective. For example, he is against reparations,
calling the issue "divisive." Shouldn't Blacks for reparations
know that?
Am I a "bad" Black man for challenging the Democratic Party?
Well, the Republicans are "suckier," if I can borrow a fifth
grade term, but I'm about sick to my stomach of hearing how Bill Clinton
was the "first Black president. Let us not forget that under
the Clinton administration, Black college enrollment began to decline,
while Black unemployment and prison "enrollment" began to
incline with the privatization of prisons.
Yet, even if Republicans lie about how dangerous the idiot in the
White House is, they can not lie about his view of the world, particularly
when it comes to people of color.
Let us remember how Bush got into office: A great number of voters
of color in Florida were disenfranchised and many of their elected
officials failed to stand up for them. Eventually, Democrat Al Gore
gave up the fight. Both parties failed the people. Many Blacks and
other American citizens on the fringe of enfranchisement watched and
became grossly disillusioned about the voting process.
I don't know about the apathy of poor whites, but I do believe that
more Blacks of all income brackets would get out and vote, and continue
to vote if they had more compelling information aside from party lines
and the historical importance of voting.
Otherwise, the voting process remains a joke to many.
I'm reminded of the Election Day slogan of the late Mayor Richard
J. Daley from my hometown, Chicago, IL: "Vote early and vote
often." He wasn't really joking.
There are real reasons to vote, but if you are working for either
party and trying to get the masses out to vote, don't just send the
same old tired messages. Explain the actual voting process. Tell the
people about the real issues and the real messages that should be
sent with each vote.
The beauty of the vote is that a group of people, comprised of many
groups of people, can unite to send a message.
Now, that's a reason to vote.
