Voting Matters

Editors's Note: While you may be among the record number of voters who have already cast ballots in early voting or by mail, there is still a week to go and many more votes will be Election Day, November 3. The polarization already present in the nation has been made even worse by concerns over the safety of voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus on personalities and characteristics of the candidates has often outweighed or distorted concern for policies and issues. Dan Seagren, in his final article on the election, takes a look at some of those issues, and the importance of elections in preserving democracy. (See a list of all the articles we have posted on voting and elections).

Are two candidates from different Parties ever alike? Probably not. But do voters know how they differ? Not always 100%, not even close most likely. We will assume that it is more true than false and compare the two Candidates and their Parties for the National (Federal) Election on November 3.

Ready to try? This is based not by this author, but a brief version of many extended versions via various media outlets. One major Midwestern newspaper had two full pages of 17 specific subjects and 100s of sub-topics of pros and cons about the two candidates and multiple issues. Other aspects of the media are less devoted to the dual issues involved. Note that positions are not always opposties, but represent differetn emphases.

This is a fraction of detailed issues facing the US before and after after the election. Some topics may be vague like “red flag” and abbreviations but illustrative of how much lies at stake for both politicians and citizens. Some similarities and differences between Parties and Candidates are both subtle and obvious. Major questions are not always considered and Party Loyalty at times results in Party-favored votes over personal endorsement. In a democracy this must be a vital issue in an election, unlike in an authoritarian system where individual votes are mostly either unimportant or non-existent.

Do your best when voting to insure that democracy remains efficacious (effective, strong) and is not threatened (weakened). Democracy survives and thrives by elections. I hope you will join me by proudly wearing your "I Voted" sticker to demonstrate your belief that we are still a government of, by, and for the people!