{"id":6157,"date":"2010-10-20T13:35:22","date_gmt":"2010-10-20T20:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eltecolote.org\/content\/?p=6157"},"modified":"2010-10-20T13:38:46","modified_gmt":"2010-10-20T20:38:46","slug":"votes-cast-for-candidate%e2%80%99s-legacy-as-much-as-for-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltecolote.org\/content\/en\/votes-cast-for-candidate%e2%80%99s-legacy-as-much-as-for-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Votes cast for candidate\u2019s legacy as much as for issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Voting is powerful. The powers that be knew that and that\u2019s why they enacted discriminatory laws to prevent people of color from voting, such as literacy tests in the south. The power to elect those who govern you spurred many people of color and progressive whites to risk their lives to fight for the right to vote.<\/p>\n

Are we so removed from that time when voting was a privilege only for the rich, white, and male population? Think about news reports over the past couple of years about polling places in poor neighborhoods plagued with problems. And remember the 2000 presidential election controversy that gave George W. Bush Florida\u2019s 25 electoral votes, enough to win re-election?<\/p>\n

Yet I hear many progressive people saying that they are not going to vote. They are frustrated, tired of candidates\u2019 empty promises, and just don\u2019t think it matters.<\/p>\n

I can relate but I also know that when I check the ballot box next to a person\u2019s name I am most often voting for something far beyond that person. And this is at the crux of why I vote, despite the unrealized promises and backroom dealings.<\/p>\n

What politicians say they will do and what they actually accomplish once in office is just one part of the deal. It\u2019s just as important to think about the legacy they leave behind when they leave office.<\/p>\n

Take for example California Governor George Deukmejian (1983\u20131991), who rewarded his agribusiness cronies for contributing millions of dollars to his campaign by making pro-grower appointments to the California Labor Arbitration Board and other commissions. The result was a decades-long reign of destruction on farmworkers\u2019 rights and union drives.<\/p>\n

Or look at the legacy of the California governorship of Ronald Reagan. All those homeless people on the streets today are a daily reminder of the deep budget cuts that Ronnie and his appointee consorts made to social services and which have never been restored.<\/p>\n

So, I vote to prevent these enemies of the people from getting into office and to prevent them from appointing people who will carry on their dirty work for decades after they are gone. Remember, Supreme Court justices are appointed for life! And, yes, sometimes it is about voting for the lesser of two evils.<\/p>\n

Candidates are accountable to voting power. The more we build that power among the working (and unemployed) people the more accountable they will be.<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s world we are fighting to turn back the move to the right and turn the tide towards public policy direction that benefits people and small\/medium businesses over the needs of the rich. Every inch in that direction is better than an inch the other way \u2014 an inch may take years if not decades to reverse.<\/p>\n

So I urge you to look beyond the campaign rhetoric. Take it upon yourself to read between the lines of corporate media, which \u2014 for the most part \u2014 would rather cover the antics of the fringe and ignore their watchdog responsibility to report on the various political platforms offered with a critical eye. Read progressive media. Google various local, state and national offices, to see what appointments are within their power. Talk to like-minded people. Think about what all this means for the future. Then vote for the candidates and initiatives that offer the people and earth the best chance for a decent life.<\/p>\n

And when your elected candidate doesn\u2019t stay on course with their campaign promises don\u2019t get discouraged. Instead, hit the streets, telephone and email, and use social media tools in protest. We have the power to change the course of things and voting is one tool in our arsenal.<\/p>\n

gov.ca.gov\/appointments\/list<\/a><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/nominations-and-appointments<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Voting is powerful. The powers that be knew that and that\u2019s why they enacted discriminatory laws to prevent people of color from voting, such as literacy tests in the south. 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