The polls for the “Most Important Election of 2022” have closed. The results will be counted, and possible recounted. Everything will either be the same, or will never be the same again. It depends. Did my candidate lose or win? Either way, I hope the ultimate winner is, once again, the Constitution and the people of this great country. I hope the right to vote, spoken of many times in the document and in several amendments, is perceived by most to be fair and resulting in honest elections. Time will tell.
Hopeful candidates of both parties, all races, all sexes, in every state and national election will be saddened by not having received enough votes to take office. However, most of them will not swear off running again. They will persist in their hope to be able to serve. I admire this, even where those views are not my own. Hopeful voters of both parties, all races, all sexes, in every state, will come back to the polls in the next election.
The Constitution and the process work. How is it possible that the founders of our nation had such foresight to make their beliefs about government persist for so long? I cannot imagine, so I salute them. They seem to have done it right.
In 2020, the turnout rate of registered voters was 94.1%. The turnout rate of voting-age population turn out was 62.8% (31st among the nations of the world that hold elections). [1] In Uruguay (2019), the turnout rate of registered voters was 90.1%. The turnout rate of voting-age population was 94.9% (1st among the nations of the world that hold elections). [1] Freedom House grades Uruguay 40 out of 40 on Political Rights and 58/60 on Civil Liberties. [2] The United States was graded 32/40 on Political Rights and 51/60 on Civil Liberties. [3] In determining these ratings, the USA got only 10/12 for our Electoral Process, 13/16 on Political Pluralism and Participation, and 9/12 on Functioning of Government for the 32/40 under Political Rights. The grade for Freedom of Expression and Belief was 14/16, for Associational and Organizational Rights it was 11/12, for Rule of Law it was 11/16, for Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights it was 15 of 16, adding up to 51/60 on Civil Liberties. Shocking that we didn’t do better regarding Civil Liberties and in particular Rule of Law.
I am aghast that Uruguay has such better scores. After reading the article on the USA I was unable to determine why the grades were so bad, but it seems to be borne out by the 62.8% of the voting-age population turned out in 2020. People don’t seem to believe that their vote will make a difference.
It is too early to tell in 2022 but I won’t be surprised if the midterm elections didn’t draw as many voters on a percentage basis. This leads me to believe that, for many, voting for a President is much more important than voting for candidates for the House of Representatives, the Senate, Governors, State Legislatures, etc. I find that interesting since the Congress of the United States of America makes the laws that govern our nation with, or without, the President on board. I have always thought that the President always gets too much credit or too much blame for what is happening. Most promises made by presidential candidates are not really within the power of a President to keep.
I posted my political preferences on Facebook the day before the election. I guess I was almost asking for the negative reactions I got. One of the things that arose from that give and take was that what is written can very often be misunderstood by the reader who doesn’t know the writer very well. Background for what is written and how the words are to be understood is so important. So, I offered clarification. In the end, I didn’t expect to change the opinion of others but I tried to respond in sincerity to their critiques so they might understand ME better. I don’t feel badly toward any of those who hold different views than I do. I have written other posts on this blog where I share how I feel that it is only appropriate that we differ in opinions (see Good Communication Requirements and Being Civil with Others).
In the repartee on my facebook account two unexpected things happened. One, I found myself doing further research on a part of what I had written and found that I had overstated a point I was making. Thanks to Dodi for that. Second, I recognized that I could have written one of my statements much better so that I imparted understanding better. Again thanks to Dodi.
My mother raised me with a hunger for words. I take every opportunity I can to learn new words in an effort to communicate better with others. I feel the purpose of life is in relationships. We are here together on this huge blue marble to be in relationship, with the Creator, others, and all of creation. If we are to sincerely seek that purpose, we need to try and find loving, compassionate ways to live and communicate with one another. Hate, anger, and violence always harms us as much as it does our opponent. We just don’t seem to get that.
We will soon know the mix of talent that will be governing our country, our states, and our local communities starting January 1, 2023. Some of us will wring our hands while others will await the event with great joy. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media will abound with taunts and retorts, some in hate. Why must we hate or denigrate those who have different political views? I’m not sure.
I always try to vote for the candidates who believe that compromise is the only rational way to govern. We must look for the good in both ways and find a middle ground that helps the most people. I know that doesn’t fit with the “tribalism” of today, but I will preach coming to common ground until I must leave or they take away my rights to blog.
I hope your candidates won. I hope your view of the future is rosy. If not, find and work for those who will represent your views. Work to help raise the percentage of our voter-age population that vote. Our nation will thankfully survive every “Most Important Election” that comes up because the Constitution was written very well. Don’t despair.
[2] Freedom House
[3] Freedom House
Bro. Ken Explores . . . 