Did you know that there's a voting primary coming up Tuesday, August 8? Some of you knew it only because of the advertisements you have heard on the radio and in the middle of YouTube videos (others know it by reading the Northside Sun). A lot of "this-is-the-man-for-the-job-and-the-other-guy-definitely-is-not," right? Then there are the signs you see in the lawns of your neighbors. Many of you are really not sure who should get your vote and still more of you are not sure if you'll vote at all. Okay, let me address the former:
As usual, we have more than one individual sending us the message that he's the right person for the job, listing several reasons why, and then going into another list of things attributed to his challenger, which are then used to argue that said challenger is selfish, dangerous, unqualified, etc. That sort of talk will have you thinking, Well, I heard the ad from the other guy and he had some things to say about you, too! Which one of you do I take seriously? . . .
To help with that, we might try conducting our own personal research; however, we have lives, we have schedules, personal interests, the reasons for NOT digging up information are endless--I get it. Simply start to ask a few questions (out loud or in your mind): When the "favored" candidate's accomplishments are ticked off, the responding questions need to be,
Is that true? Does that matter to the common voter? Should that even be listed as a campaigning item or should it rather be assumed and unmentioned? Is that something that your opponent could also say?
As for the accusations against "the other guy" - our questions need to go something like, is that [specific statement] the whole picture?
What is the reason behind that *rather vague* criticism? Is that something your opponent could say about you?
Bonus question: Was this "Paid For By The Candidate" or "Paid For By Some-thing-else"? Probably not the exact inquiries you were anticipating, but see if they don't apply to any present or future campaign ads. Now, let me address the latter:
As I said in the first paragraph, many of you are not sure if you'll even vote at all for anyone; this is the intentional plan for still more of you. So: just not interested in politics, are you? You probably think that it's just right enough to live your life year to year, paycheck to paycheck, without those crooked politicians and those pesky candidates getting to be part of it. Are there issues that matter to you? Things like taxes, foreign dealings, accountability for your leaders, gas prices, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the court system(s), state laws?
If you feel frustration over the state of your country or community, for any reason, then quit making excuses for not voting and Get Out There! The rest of us are tired of your complaining! We're tired of pulling the weight on Election Day, heavily outnumbered by folks who vote for the status quo!
When you perceive clearly a type of problem facing the masses (state, district, nation or otherwise), do you stay the course and gripe about it, do you vote AGAINST it, or do you go right up to your precinct and vote FOR it? You people know who you are.
But, oh! you say, each of these candidates has so many problems; I don't know that I can vote for ANY of them. Look what so-and-so said earlier this year; look who's affiliated with him; look at how they simply slander each other!
Listen, ONE OF THEM is going to win, whoever that is, and the reason why so many losers end up in Washington, D. C. *and in Jackson* is because so many people vote based on tradition, or the man who kissed someone's puppy on your favorite news channel, or they DON'T vote because What-Does-My-Vote-Count-Anyway?
If you stay home, your vote will most definitely count for NOTHING, so that excuse is leaking water already. But as I have been driving home here, don't just vote for anyone. Vote your conscience AND with your brain. And vote in the primaries and run-offs, not just in November! There. Now you're informed. Thank you for your time, and I'll see you at the polls.
Thorburn McGee is a Northsider.
