The clock is about to strike midnight regarding Tuesday's election, and the event is being hyped as the most eagerly anticipated midterm election since 1994.
Sixteen years ago the 'Republican Revolution' took place as voters expressed their uncertainty about the direction our nation was going under President Bill Clinton and Congress.
The Republican's 'Contract with America' was one of most effective marketing gimmicks in recent political history, and many decided to buy into it.
The result was that Republicans made sizable gains in Congress. Will that happen again on Tuesday? The answer will come soon.
Voters have a big decision. Are they satisfied with the direction the federal government is heading or not? It is not as straightforward a question as it would seem.
Those who are satisfied with the status quo will quickly point out that the Obama administration inherited a mess when he took office.
There is no denying that, and his supporters defend the president by stating that two years simply has not been enough time to correct everything that is wrong. Keeping Democratic majorities in the House and Senate will help the president deal with our nation's issues.
On the other hand, opponents are tired of being patient. National unemployment has been at 9.5 percent or higher for 14 consecutive months. This is the first time since the Great Depression that this has taken place.
Additionally, many feel the White House and Congress have been indifferent toward the wishes of the public on issues like healthcare reform. Reform, of course, was passed, but not in a form that satisfied either side.
Despite this, the biggest question to be answered Tuesday is: Does anybody really care? Voter apathy is the biggest opponent our nation faces when it comes to our government.
People are quick to complain about the problems in government whether it is on the local, state, or federal level. However, do all the complainers hold up their end of the bargain? Do citizens do a good job of being dedicated gatekeepers of our government? The answer has to be 'no.'
Many people can not be bothered to vote much less show interest in the daily functioning of government. People clamor for 'change' but often do not know what kind of change they want.
Many would agree that our federal government is too bloated and inefficient. Many would agree that sizable cuts need to be made. However, how many would still support the cuts if it required them to make personal sacrifices?
We are seeing this play out in Europe now. Countries like France and England have come to the point where they simply do not have the revenue to continue providing services as they have. Especially in France, the protests have been loud.
Will we react the same way here if real change comes? I do not know, but at this point, I am not optimistic that real change will come. It does not matter whether the Democrats or Republicans are in charge.
The rhetoric between the two parties is different, but in actions, they seem like shades of gray to me.
However, don't blame the politicians because it is our fault. We are reaping what our apathy has brought us.
As much as I hope for a large voter turnout on Tuesday, my past experience teaches me that most of you reading this will not vote. Pessimism and cynicism have choked off my idealism when it comes to this matter.
I simply do not believe the public has the backbone to produce a high voter turnout on Tuesday.
Sorry if that makes you mad, but truth can taste bitter sometime. Prove me wrong.
3 comments:
You, sir, are a communist.
Too bad about Nevada, and it looks like Write-in took home the marbles in Alaska. Otherwise, I can't complain. Oddly, da prez seems to think this means the Repubs are obliged to negotiate with him. He really doesn't get it, does he?
In a matter of days, Obama has gone from referring to opponents as "enemies" to wanting to work together.
Can't see how he is too trustworthy at this point.
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