By Joe Rector
Well, this past Wednesday marked the beginning of the midterm elections. Early voting will go on through October 29, and Election Day will be upon us. For me, it’s always an exciting time when elections are held because discovering who will be our representatives is so important.
Here in Tennessee, elections lack the mysteries that occur in other states. Our state is considered a solid red one. Candidates in the other party rarely prevail in major races. That is sad to me because I’d like to see how much different things might be in Tennessee if Democrats got the chance to run things. I suspect not much difference would be noticeable. I compare our Senate and congressional races to be much like contests between U.T. and Alabama over the last decade-plus. The Vols often put up a wonderful battle, but in the end, we fall short. Our last win against the Tide was so exciting that fans stormed the field, tore down the goalpost, and threw it in the Tennessee River. That last part seems to defeat the purpose, but it is what it is.
As a fan of politics, I enjoy keeping up with elections across the country. Some incumbents are not that likable, so I pull for their defeat. Others bring new ideas or have captivating personalities, and they become folks for whom I pull. No, I can’t vote for them, but just watching their race with another candidate is good enough.
Maybe we voters should begin drawing brackets as is done for March Madness. Everyone who takes part can choose winners from across the country. The one who chooses the most correct folks would win the pot. Come to think of it, doing something like this might increase the number of eligible voters who cast ballots. Being able to choose our own leaders is one of the many gifts that democracy bestows.
We are a divided nation right now, and the animosity among sides is unfortunate. The fact is that the person who receives the most votes in these races will win. That’s the way democracy works. Sure, I’ve experienced plenty of humbling when my candidates have lost, but I recognize the process and accept it as long as everyone plays fair.
For too long, my generation has been in control of the government. The time has come for younger individuals to take the reins. We old folks are living in this world, but most of us don’t understand many of the things that are part of modern-day life. Still, we old codgers owe it to ourselves and this country to participate in the election process. I know some will say that the effort is not worth anything when a preferred candidate has as much chance of winning as a snowball has in hell. I tell everyone that if he or she chooses not to vote, they have no right to complain.
So, this year, let’s surprise the prognosticators by voting in bunches. This election can be the start of a new tradition where citizens show their courage and loyalty by casting ballots. It doesn’t take that long, and doing so always makes folks feel better. If you choose not to vote, then sit down and hush and accept whatever befalls you.
