The other week we received a faxed press release from one of Michigan’s two US Senators, Debbie Stabenow.
‘In an effort to both celebrate the US system of government and encourage public participation in that system, Sen. Debbie Stabenow today offered legislation that would make Election Day in November a national holiday,? the press release started.
‘I believe that by declaring Election Day a national holiday we would spur voter participation, improve the voting process and allow us to celebrate the institutions that guarantee us our basic freedoms,? the release quoted our girl Debbie.
Area residents may remember Debbie because she married the only elected Democrat in Oxford’s recent history, Tom Athans. Athans was an Oxford Village Councilman and served as Village President for a while before joining the Senator’s staff, then immediate family. If you can’t picture her, watch the nightly news for video of New York Senator Hilary Clinton making a public comment — Debbie is usually standing behind her.
The press release stated, in cold, black print the depressing statistics on American voter participation — between 1980 and 2000 just over 50 percent. In comparison to Australia, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Sweden (all world powerhouses), whose voting population went to the polls over 80 percent; while Israelis, Brits and Canadians showed up around 70 percent of the time.
Yeah for them!
But what about us?
‘Stabenow noted that respondents to a survey done by the US Census Bureau shortly after the 2000 elections cited a schedule conflict with work or school as the number one reason for not voting,? the release stated.
Well, of course they did. Folks are not going to respond to a survey — conducted by an arm of the Federal Government — with, ‘I forgot,? or ‘I didn’t care to vote this time around,? for fear of looking like idiots.
The American motto should be, ‘It ain’t my fault.?
It is the new American way to find a scapegoat — blame somebody or something else for our own mistakes. It’s just plain easier and a heck of a lot less painful than deep introspection. This proposed bit of legislation isn’t worth the paper it’s written on and is a waste of time.
Voting in America is, read my lips, ‘E-A-S-Y!?
During my wild college years in between the boozing and womanizing (oh yeah, and going to class and studying — sorry Mom) I still had the presence of mind to (get this) apply for, use and send in on time, an absentee ballot.
My vote was counted!
Now that I’m a regular Joe with a job, I can go to the polls before work or after. What a concept! open the polls at 7 a.m. and close them at 8 p.m., sounds simple to me.
Making the second Tuesday after the first Monday in November a national holiday is only going to give people another day in the middle of the work week not to work. And, while labor unions and civil rights groups may hail this idea as a cure all (remember they already get the day off) the rest of us work at small to medium companies. Days off at small and medium sized companies are like gold. And, unfortunately vacation/sick/personal days and holidays are all grouped together. You get so many a year, that’s it.
Make another holiday and that’s just a day we have to take with everybody else, instead of being able to use when we want or need.
The flaw with this idea is it candy coats the problem. It is not voting that is the problem. It is the product we have to vote for. Take a look at it in a capitalistic way: People buy goods they like and that work. Products which don’t work or are not liked are not bought and the producers of those goods go out of business.
If the American public were offered truly good candidates (products) they’d vote (purchase). But all we get are retreads and folks who offer no truly inspiring, unique or positive services.
The problem isn’t that we don’t have time to vote, it is who we have to vote for during that time.
Comments for Don can be e-mailed to: dontrushmedon@aol.com