Another Perspective

Chapter 2. The election. My life is in a bit of turmoil. The heater in my room isn't kicking in as fast as I would like it to so I am wearing socks. I feel dirty not being totally shed of my clothing. When things heat up the clothes come off.

Bubba has a problem. He has a sizable lead. Seems like he has this election in the bag. All he needs is to set the campaign on cruise control and hope that they don't make any mistakes between now and election day. That's not the problem. What's the problem? Apathy. Say it with me. Apathy. Apathy apathy A-P-A-T-H-Y. No voto. No go presso the button for the candidate. During the 1992 presidential election the electorate felt a real pressing need to eject President Bush from office. America wanted something to change. That is why Ross Perot fared so well. Bubba's 15 point lead and almost assured landslide could keep a lot of voters at home.

If the Presidential election doesn't excite you, remember there are other things to consider. First, the House and Senate are still controlled by Republicans. Traditionally, during Presidential elections voters come out in force and vote the party line.

But a "sure thing" is a sure sign of trouble. In 1993 less than 40% of the electorate came out to vote. Result? The Newt Deal. They had an agenda and a majority of a minority vote agreed. They agreed to a deal which 60 percent of Americans didn't respond to. If you add in the votes against Newt's army that number shoots up to at least 75 percent of Americans either said no or didn't not express their opinion. Each vote counts. Don't kid yourself.

During the last election, Eugene had a measure to build a new library that lost by one or two votes. Wouldn't it suck to say I'm not voting. My votes don't count. Then see a travesty like not building a new library only because some shulb chose not to go vote.

Because of the ballot initiative process in Oregon your vote not only elects candidates to office but it can protect your constitutional rights, how much you pay in taxes, and how the structure of your government continues. Getting a measure on the ballot is not difficult and can lead to a sea of them each election cycle. They can be confusing and overwhelming. In order to help you in your quest for a better country, I have a crack team of political science geeks deciphering the legal mumbo jumbo so that you know what you are voting for. This chart (see chart below) is in all ways meant to sway how you vote. I know that voting can be a pain in the butt (see chart below). Apathy can sure cause a spinal injury or two. My suggestions are meant in every way to improve and focus your inhibited cerebral processes (see chart below).

Voting is not a right, it is a duty. I have such a hard time with people who complain about the state of our society, then turn around and tell me they don't vote because "my vote doesn't matter."

Minorities are a perfect example of potential voter strength diminished by apathy. In many communities the "white" man is actually the minority. In many of those communities only the minority of whites vote. What results is a serious malcontent between the haves and the have nots. The greatest election story of the year is that of a history teacher in Texas who decided to run for Senate of the United States. He was an underdog. The Democrats substituted someone else. This man, Victor Morales, drove all over Texas in his little white pickup and motivated the Hispanic community to get off their butts and pull the handle at the voters booth. Result? He spoke at the Democratic National Convention and is the Democrats' candidate for Senate against Phil Gramm.

In regards to his campaign, he has already won. An underdog candidate without the support of his own party rallies a block of voters who were not united in the past to take action in their democracy and elect a candidate who speaks to their issues.

My biggest struggle during this election is finding a candidate who speaks to my issues. Where is the debate on whether we should have a national naked writers day? Haven't seen it, think it sucks. I will still vote. I will stand on my soap box and wash. I will wear pink.

These elections are like the Olympics. They are once every four years. There are winners and losers. There is plenty of television surrounding them. And they are a hoot to watch. This time you choose the winner. If you don't exercise you vote and speak your mind you could run a dead last place. And there is nothing worse then having to wait another four years to try again.

Another Perspective's Voting Guide

TAKE THIS TO THE BOOTH. USE IT. THIS I COMMAND.

Chris Kantrowitz is a featured columnist for the Oregon Commentator