NOW that the midterm elections are in full swing, particularly with the start of the campaign period for the local candidates, promises are once again being made left and right. I wonder what the batting average is for the incumbents as far as their previous promises were concerned? Three years seems like an eternity as most everyone has already forgotten what was committed previously. I believe one should gauge a candidate's worthiness based on how they performed as far as their promises are concerned.
Re-electionists and come-backing candidates are in the mix with new and old "runners" alike. The people decide and get a government based on their choices. Some are worthy to be elected although they have a low winnability percentage. As a result, the voters opt to rely more on winnability than worthiness. Let's not be like that. Let us change the way we think. If we feel that one candidate is worthy, let's vote for that candidate regardless of winnability. The elections are not about choosing the most winnable candidates. The elections are all about choosing the right people to govern us and make our lives a lot better. Choose the worthy and vote - it's as simple as that. There is no winnability factor in the equation.
It is interesting how things will turn out. An election is one big mystery to me since it involves individual choices counted cumulatively to determine a winner. That is how democracy works, so they say. I say that i has become demoCRAZY. We may not agree with the choices, the "voice" of the the people, entirely but we all share in the impacts of the choices made. Some win because they are popular. Accordingly, some win because they have money. I do not know if there are studies to substantiate these but it is clear that the results will depend on the voter. As it is, let us be responsible and critical voters.
"Young people need to vote. They need to get out there. Every vote counts. Educate yourself too. Don't just vote. Know what you're voting for, and stand by that." ~ Nikki Reed
"Voting is how we participate in a civic society - be it for president, be it for a municipal election. It's the way we teach our children - in school elections - how to be citizens, and the importance of their voice." ~ Loretta Lynch
"Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process." ~ Hillary Clinton
"Voting is the only way to make change in a democracy." ~ Christine Todd Whitman
"As a citizen, you need to know how to be a part of it, how to express yourself - and not just by voting." ~ Sandra Day O'Connor
"Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world." ~ Sharon Salzberg
"By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions." ~ Jens Stoltenberg