Hey, Where Were You?

July 23, 2012 No Comments

 

“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their government. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.”James Garfield, “A Century of Congress” published in Atlantic, July 1877.

 

 

WHERE WERE YOU?

 

I’m talking about last week’s Primary Runoff Election on the 17^th.

 

It’s taking all I got to resist the urge to use all CAPS in this blog.

Voter Turnout was pathetic.  I went to the elections office last week to see if the results were now official.  The results that indicate that a pitiful 3.58% of the state’s 6,158.561 registered voters cast ballots. What in the world?  The numbers are not official yet.  When they are, they’ll say the same thing:  You sat on the sidelines and you didn’t use your voice to vote.

 

I am blowing the whistle right now on the people who are speaking out and battling any plan that would require a state approved form of ID. Them, and the sympathizers here in the great state of North Carolina.

 

I question the heart and passion of many who’ve joined the movement.

 

You see, with your outcry,  you look like you believe that the act itself of voting—in any type of election is critical— from local elections to the Presidential.  Like it is of the utmost importance.

 

You demonstrated on Tuesday, May 17^th that you do not strongly believe.

 

These anti-ID battles are being waged from many fronts.  However, most believe that advocates for the ID laws are trying to stop black people from voting in the November 6^th election, so President Obama will not get re-elected.

Many feel it’s just a bunch of hooey—advocates who maintain that some form of photo identification will ensure the integrity of elections.

 

Whether either claim is true or not,  I used the Run-off election as a test of the measure of  muscle and zeal around exercising that right to vote.

 

Now, I will tell you right off the bat, that blacks are not monolithic.

However, if there were blacks who felt a need to see more diversity in North Carolina’s Council of State,  then there was a golden opportunity to elect a black man to the office.

Lobbyist Marlowe Foster ran against John Brooks who several years ago WAS the labor commissioner.  Perhaps you saw Mr. Foster’s campaign signs around town.

They were posted along the sides of many of the main roads around town, such as Rock Quarry Road. Foster lost.

No one was leading a movement to get Foster elected, or simply to go to the polls—sending a message that the right to vote is important ALL the time.

 

On Tuesday, July 17^th people spent more time in line waiting for Port City Java or Chick- fil-A  to be served, than they would have… waiting to vote at their precincts.

 

Hell, I was in and out in 3 minutes time.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement.   I expected more…. For people to be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing… fighting for what’s right!

 

As per usual.  It is one thing to talk the talk.  I was hoping to see folks with purpose, walking the walk, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Elections, Marlowe Foster, Pam Saulsby, Primary Runoff, Voter ID laws, Voter turnoutCommunity Issues, Pam's Musings