The problem with limiting the number of people who vote to
either elect an individual or place someone on a major party ballot is that it
drives people out of the party. People who desire control often attempt to
drive people out of their party. Just look at what the Tea Party has done to the
Republican Party in the last few years. I have friends who are republicans and
they are ashamed of their own party for the lack of inclusiveness. In the past,
I have always told them that they are welcome in the Democratic Party. I have
to wonder if that is the case at present.
The lawsuit that would open the primaries up to people who
decline to state a party would invite more individuals to vote during the
primaries. You can never criticize encouraging more people to cast ballots in
our state. The Democratic Party is moving in the wrong direction under the
current chairman by excluding voters from key processes. The party does not
have large open events because that would allow all the voters to get to know
the candidates. It has become all about
giving exclusive access to candidates to only rich people who can afford large
dollar events. We are less than a hundred days away from the election but we
are seeing very few open events where people can get to know their candidates.
It would be very sad to see the Democratic Party go the way
of the Republican Party by only reaching out to the rich. In the past, we would
be seeing large campaign events that welcomed everyone to shake hands with the
candidates and ask valuable questions. Now all the parties are asking give me
$50 or $100 or more dollars just to be in the same room with a candidate. The Fourth
of July event at the balloon fiesta field saw just one lonely candidate with a
booth. I still remember a time when the event would have been packed with
candidates who were interested in getting to know the voters.
I hear from some that candidates are not the best we have every picked. I hear that some are 9 to 5 candidates who limit the amount of time they wish to spend on the job. This will not encourage the type of interaction that can solve issues facing our country or our state. You have to fear that without more voter involvement that our voting process is becoming one where only the rich and powerful matter and that more of the voting public will become disenfranchised. More women are likely to become disenfranchised because they are often the ones who earn the least in this country and this state. You have to wonder if maybe that is the goal of some individuals who see women as only play toys.
