[NOTE: This entry is going to be all over the place. You've been warned]
For the most part I have stayed silent on politics recently because...well do we need more political comments? However I found an interesting article/facebook post that kind of echoed what I've always though.
Mike Rowe, former host of Dirty Jobs, posted an excellent response to this question:
Jeremy Schneider writes...
Hey Mike, I have nothing but respect for you. Your no-nonsense outlook and incredible eloquence have really had a profound impact in my life. Can you please encourage your huge following to go out and vote this election? I would never impose on you by asking you to advocate one politician over another, but I do feel this election could really use your help. I know that there are many people out there who feel like there is nothing they can do. Please try to use your gifts to make them see that they can do something - that their vote counts.
I won't copy and paste his entire answer but you can find it
here.
I think it is exactly the answer that this country needs to hear with this election. Bear with me here as I explain my thinking here. When I was a youngling I used to not understand the Electoral College. Each vote should count as one vote and not have this weird fake voting thing.
Then I started to get older, the Internet age became a thing, then social media...and I realized that I don't want the unwashed masses electing one of the most powerful people in the world! I've read, although I don't remember where now, and heard, again I don't remember where, that some of the founding fathers didn't believe the general public had the knowledge to vote for President, and if they saw what we've become they'd believe that now for sure. I don't know if that is true but I know some people wanted a complete general election while others wanted a congressional election so we got this system.
This point by Mike Rowe is almost exactly how I feel:
Regardless of their political agenda, my celebrity pals are fundamentally mistaken about our “civic duty” to vote. There is simply no such thing. Voting is a right, not a duty, and not a moral obligation. Like all rights, the right to vote comes with some responsibilities, but lets face it - the bar is not set very high. If you believe aliens from another planet walk among us, you are welcome at the polls. If you believe the world is flat, and the moon landing was completely staged, you are invited to cast a ballot. Astrologists, racists, ghost-hunters, sexists, and people who rely upon a Magic 8 Ball to determine their daily wardrobe are all allowed to participate. In fact, and to your point, they’re encouraged.
The undeniable reality is this: our right to vote does not require any understanding of current events, or any awareness of how our government works. So, when a celebrity reminds the country that “everybody’s vote counts,” they are absolutely correct. But when they tell us that “everybody in the country should get out there and vote,” regardless of what they think or believe, I gotta wonder what they’re smoking.
I wonder about that too. I think the same thing about gun control. I think it was Jim Cornette, on his podcast, who said about guns, and I'm paraphrasing here. Go sit at the mall for an hour. How many of those people do you want to have automatic weapons. I think that about voting...and breeding for that matter...and driving...and...I'm off track here.
My point is that we don't want a general election because the average person isn't informed enough to make these decisions. And if I'm being completely honest I don't know if I am or anyone is! In the age of the 24 hour news cycle, with TMZ, the Onion and all these other fake news organizations how do you wade through the bullshit for the actual truth.
Why do we hear so many more negative articles about Trump? Is he worse then Hillary or is it because he heard all of Hillary's dirty laundry in the 90's when Bill was in office?
Then we have this outcry from Hollywood about voting every four years about how EVERYONE has to vote...but it is often followed by...for my candidate. If they really cared about voting they wouldn't be doing it the way they do. They wouldn't be preaching about how evil this person is...now everyone go vote.
I haven't really said how I'm voting...if I'm voting even. That is no ones business but my own. That is another thing that bugs me. It is NO ONES business if I vote or not and why I came the decision that I made. It is a right not an obligation. It is a right I can exercise or decide not to. You can argue that people lost their lives for that and you're correct but do you think they then wanted to force people to vote? Shame people to vote? I am not beholden to vote by anyone or anything but myself. I have in some elections and not in others. As Rowe put it:
Look at our current candidates. No one appears to like either one of them. Their approval ratings are at record lows. It's not about who you like more, it's about who you hate less. Sure, we can blame the media, the system, and the candidates themselves, but let’s be honest - Donald and Hillary are there because we put them there. The electorate has tolerated the intolerable. We've treated this entire process like the final episode of American Idol. What did we expect?
So no, Jeremy - I can’t personally encourage everyone in the country to run out and vote. I wouldn't do it, even if I thought it would benefit my personal choice. Because the truth is, the country doesn't need voters who have to be cajoled, enticed, or persuaded to cast a ballot. We need voters who wish to participate in the process. So if you really want me to say something political, how about this - read more...
Remember - there’s nothing virtuous or patriotic about voting just for the sake of voting, and the next time someone tells you otherwise, do me a favor - ask them who they’re voting for. Then tell them you’re voting for their opponent. Then, see if they’ll give you a ride to the polls.
Remember - there’s nothing virtuous or patriotic about voting just for the sake of voting, I wish I could have put it that way. If you truly support a candidate I say do EVERYTHING to get them elected...legally...unless you're in Chicago...then well we know how you guys work.
Seriously though if you honestly support a candidate get out there for them. Knock on doors. Hang posters. Make phone calls. Donate money. Donate Time. However, and this is my opinion only, don't support someone because you dislike them less then other person. That is what this is about...again in my opinion. That isn't to say that I haven't done it. I voted against George W. Bush in 2004 even though I didn't support John Kerry. I felt wrong about it after actually and regret doing it.
I am sure many of you disagree with what I've said here. Many people disagree with me and that is what is great about this country...you can. However I ask that you look deep down and vote with your mind not your heart.
I am not nearly as articulate as
Mike Rowe was in his post. Read it. Then look yourself in the mirror and ask if you're voting for your candidate for the right reason.
