Election Madness

Lately, I have been speaking my mind more and more within these chambers of my blog. Today, I speak on a subject that I have always put a taboo on. Anyone who knows me well, knows I will not engage in conversations regarding politics or religion. Many people say this, I actually follow through. My reasoning is quite simple; most people who engage in conversations within these two topics are generally looking for an argument, unless engaging people of the same affiliation. Conversations are supposed to be a general exchange of information between parties involved. When the topic of politics, and/or religion, comes up people seem to jockey for position in an attempt to make sure the other party will be won over to their side by the end of the conversation. I have never known this to happen.

A few decades ago, while in college, I wrote a paper for my English class titled, Politics: Sterile or Mud Sling. It was an election year and as a non-traditional student attending evening classes, I was in class with many other non-traditional students. There were several times when,  what started out as simple conversation turned into heated arguments coming to near blows. It was during this time I wrote my paper, which received an A.  

I summed up the first paragraph with, “In my opinion this has been one black fight over one white house.” This holds true for the current election.

This, however, is neither here nor there with regard to the topic of this post.

In most states, upon registration to vote, you must also register your party affiliation. You may only vote in the Primary Election as Democrat or Republican. If you are registered as Independent, you cannot vote. Tennessee, the state I reside in, does not force you to register in this manner. You select in the Primary Election which party you desire to vote with. Again, you cannot if you declare Independent. 

When I lived in the state of Maryland, I turned 18 and registered to vote. I selected the party my family preferred. I honestly cannot recall which party it was, old age creeps in and takes away some memories. As I became my own person, I followed the people who were running for office. Living in Tennessee affords me the ability to vote in this manner.

For many years I have pondered while watching the constant bashing and hurling of nastiness all over the television and social media. For the presidential election there should be a funding cap. Candidates should not be allowed to spend more than $1,000,000 on campaigning during each year the candidate runs. Excess money is to be donated to homeless and less fortunate around the country. No monies can be held over to the next campaign. Can you imagine how focused the candidates would be on proving themselves to the people if they didn’t have money to slander their opponents?

Secondly, parties should be abolished. Every person must stand on their own. No more party affiliations. No more us against them. Every man, or woman, for himself. Supporters are fine, parties are not. Vote the person, not the party.

Finally, after eliminating the parties, we need to do away with the Electoral College. Four times in history, the most recent being the 2000 election, a candidate has lost the popular vote, but won the seat due to winning the electoral vote. Granted this has only been four times in our nations history, however, it should not count. The United States was founded “Of the people, by the people, for the people”, period. If the people are voting, they should count. 

In two weeks, the majority of the people of this country will travel to their polling place, stand in line, walk into a semi-private booth (semi-private in that some of the booths are made so that workers can watch and actually see how you vote via the back of the machine), mark their choices, push the button or pull the lever depending on the type of booth you are in and walk out to return to their lives. I urge you to do your homework ahead of time. Look at all ALL the candidates, not just the Republicans and Democrats. Weigh your options and vote your heart, not a party.

My private ballot was mailed last month. My vote is cast. There is nothing more I can do from here on except encourage people to look at the person, not the party and vote the way YOU choose to vote.

I am DL Bach and I approve this message.