(A brief note: Faithful Camp Campaign followers may have noticed the clash another writer here seems to want to initiate with yours truly. I will make it a point, as I always have, to not dignify such by addressing him directly. Instead, in any conflict of opinion here, I’ve made it a point to invoke the facts as I see them—including, but not limited to, an article of my own regarding Rick Santorum, and the beginning of my last article—so as to challenge arguments on those grounds, rather than engage in dismissive name-calling. Let the readers read both. To coin a phrase, “We report—you decide.”)
Now, to the main topic. This past week, I’ve been enjoying spring break at home. As readers of my column know, my father, Steven W. Blake, is running for property appraiser of Polk County. Much of this week has been spent gaining signatures, to put his name on the ballot. (The deadline is May, by the way — and we still need thousands of signatures….)
Anyway, much of that was done at a flea market in Auburndale. I assisted my father and a capable guy named Chris Cash in manning our booth, asking for registered Polk County voters. We also looked for signatures outside the courthouse—after all, if you’re going for jury duty, that means you’re on the voter list … right?
Not according to them. Heaven knows how many times we’ve asked, “Are you a registered Polk County voter?” only to get a “no”.
Now…perhaps the flea market folks can be forgiven for it. You’d be surprised how many folks were from Canada, or whatever, just here to warm up. Still…many times, we were waved off without a word — the universally-recognized sign for, “Outta my FACE!”
A few others were more honest — answering, “No … and I don’t want to vote!”
This seems to be a common attitude, lately. I remember some guy who commented on the original Lakeland Ledger press release announcing Dad’s campaign. He was of the impression that everyone in office is a crook — and anyone running for office is a crook. (He also said all churches are child-molesting cesspools, but that’s another story entirely….)
Let’s face it: a lot of people are so cynical towards the system, they don’t bother to vote. Now, at first glance, that seems understandable: “It won’t change anyway!”
But … here’s the question. What if someone shows up who wants to change the system? What if that someone brings business/management know-how to the table—and with it, credibility that they can change things, and make a difference? Another thing: what if there’s an entire movement of reformers — say… the Tea Party — seeking to change things en masse?
“I don’t vote — and never will.” Then how will things change? Don’t you want it to change? Obviously, you do — otherwise, you wouldn’t be complaining.
Now for the big question: do you want to help bring about that change…?
See, here’s the truth: Hyper-cynicism is just an excuse for people to not do something about the problems they see around them. “Oh, it won’t make a difference, anyway.” Really? Signing a petition just talks up a handful of minutes of your time — what’s the harm in that? Same for voting — I’m sure these hyper-cynics have free time, don’t they? Voting doesn’t hurt you — it just requires a little time. But you won’t do it, because “It won’t make a difference”? How will you know what difference it’ll make, if you just sit back and do nothing?
Look, if you’re going to complain about how bad things are, I’ve got one thing to say: put up or shut up. You don’t like how things are? See what you can do to change it. If you won’t run — do what you can to help someone who will. Otherwise, you don’t have the courage of your convictions — and to be blunt, you therefore don’t deserve to be listened to with any credibility.
“But I don’t want to waste my time for something that doesn’t matter!” Uh-huh. Like it or not, politics affects every aspect of your life—your business, the crime on the streets, inspections/appraisals, firefighting, and so on. Who’s in office does matter — and they’re in there because of your vote … or your lack of a vote.
So get involved, folks. Your life depends on it.