Stevieslaw: Representation
Smokey Diamond, our dynamic reporter, was still in shock over the Senate refusal to pass a bill with even a minor change to the rules governing gun ownership, when he came across the term “elected representative” in today’s paper. Smokey asked me what that might mean and frankly, although I thought the term might have had some meaning once, I couldn’t remember what that might be. Clearly, since about 93% of the population supported additional background checks, the Senate didn’t represent them. No, the folks who run the country “represent” corporations—say the oil and gas industry, or organizations—say the National Rifle Association.
After extensive research, Smokey and I were able to pin down reference. Apparently, there is an annual event—it’s always on a Tuesday, and this year it’s November 5—in which people are able to elect folks to represent them. The process is called “voting” and it seems that more than half the eligible population does not realize the process exists. They disenfranchise themselves. Is that crazy or what? And get this. In most of the States, women and minorities are allowed to vote, right alongside real citizens—although in some places, that is about to change.
Vote. Why not try it this year?