Voting Matters
by Nathaniel Batchelder, OPS March, 2008
Every citizen of the USA paying attention is very concerned about the state of things. My deepest concerns include the war, the environment, the economy, the debt, rising prices of food and everything else. I'm also concerned about global hunger, poverty, disease, torture by the USA, development of alternative (clean) sources of energy, warrantless wire-tapping, universal health care, and protections for natural habitat essential to other species' survival.
Let us ensure historic U.S. voter turn-out, on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, expressing all our deepest hopes for candidates and policies that can contribute to a better world (or, at least defeating candidates whose policies we oppose).
Oklahoma's Presidential Primary is behind us, and Presidential choices are narrowing. (I loved Dennis Kucinich, and hoped John Edwards would stay in the race.) Still, regardless of the choice on Nov.4th, the outcome will make a difference: Recall the tragedy of the 2000 elections, when some said, “Bush and Gore are the same.” Bush and Gore were NOT “the same” and a Gore Presidency would have been infinitely better that the Presidency of GWBush, which is leaving a terrible stain upon U.S. history.
Remember that things CAN get better … AND THAT THINGS CAN GET WORSE! There are clearly signals that the US is becoming - or has become - a corporatist fascistic state, in which government no longer serves the interests of the people, but only the interests of corporate profits. Whatever our country's condition, We The People still have the vote, and by voting, can block terrible things and make better things possible.
Especially in our state and local elections we can really make a difference.
Oklahoma's U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is up for election on Nov. 4th, and voters will choose between him and challenger State Senator Andrew Rice. Both candidates have websites defining their positions and seeking contributions to their campaigns. Get busy supporting the candidate of your choice! Get busy spreading the word about the candidate of your choice. US Senators hold office for six years. (Senator Tom Coburn is not up for election). Democracy is not cheap and not free.
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth will also be on every state ballot, Nov. 4th (Roth will be opposed by a Republican still to be decided in a run-off). Jim Roth was appointed by Governor Brad Henry to fill the seat vacated by Denise Bode. Roth cast one of two votes (only three Commissioners) to deny the application by OG&E to charge rate-payers IN ADVANCE to build a new coal-fired electrical generating plant in Oklahoma. My opinion is we don't want another coal-fired plant FOR FREE, but charging rate-payers for it in advance seemed totally outrageous. Roth's position-paper explaining his “NO” vote asserted that OG&E had not sufficiently considered alternative and cleaner sources of electricity (solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal). Republicans running for the slot include Dana Murphy and Rob Johnson. All three have websites permitting informed voting. The Republican Party is investing heavily in defeating Jim Roth.
Every US Representative and every State Representative is up for election every two years. Some will have challengers but none should hold office for life. Only voting can shake things up. Each of us has time, talent, and treasure to invest.
Electoral politics is just one essential part of our journey toward a world of justice and peace. It's CRAZY to care deeply about justice and peace, yet not know who represents you in government! I know that American voters are challenged by the unfair power of incumbency; by unfair campaign finance laws; by the unfair power of big money and corporations; by national and local media that focus more on game shows and celebrities than politics affecting the whole world. Life is unfair. What's new? Life was unfair when slavery was abolished, and life was unfair when women earned the right to vote.
The times demand courage and relentless pursuit of better politics and better politicians. There is no room and no time for despair or cynicism about imperfect candidates. Regardless the odds, it's up to us to insure that better days are possible because of our efforts.
To change the world we must heal the break between citizens and government. The crucial urgency of challenges facing America - and the world - demand that good folks get involved to get others involved.
The alternative is to surrender the world to those willing to exploit, extort, torture, kill, pollute and oppress for personal gain or corporate profits, often producing products that may be slipshod and dangerous, or utterly worthless and unworthy. Every faith tradition cautions against making wealth an idol, but in America today, money, wealth, and profits are replacing every other value, principle, or ethic grounding social behavior.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4th, possibly one million Oklahomans will vote. Between now and then, it is up to me and you to get our friends, families, and social circles passionate about their role in the future of our nation and our planet. Never has so much been at stake. Never have election outcomes meant so much to so many. Never will this year come again. Eight months to go.
We are the ones we have been waiting for. Now is the time. If we will not do all we can to affect electoral outcomes on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, we do not deserve the designation as “citizens” of this most powerful and wealthy nation on the planet.
