IF I RECALL CORRECTLY…
I was one among many of an unknown group here in the States: The Homeless Voter. While I struggled with life on the street, I still read the paper, still followed the issues, still voted.
Repeatedly. So when poor folks say they can’t take the time to vote, to me it’s a bunch of baloney. The reason they don’t vote is that most folks believe politicians wish to improve their own bank accounts above all others, so why bother voting?
That’s one thing you don’t have to be concerned about with October’s California recall ballot. With 135 gubernatorial candidates listed, it’s the salad bar of voting. I used to think the recall was a joke, but it’s nice to see, among that usual herd of attorneys and lifers, is someone who makes false teeth, someone who worked in a slaughterhouse, even someone who smashes watermelons. Laborers are in the mix for governor! What next — homeless candidates?
We’re there now! Did you hear about this guy (a Republican, no less!) in the Sacramento area, standing alongside the street, holding up a cardboard sign asking for votes? Or is he begging for votes? Either way, he’s using our time tested techniques to get attention — too bad poor people don’t hold a patent on the cardboard sign idea. Could we take this guy to court for doing damage to our image in the eyes of the public? He’s… clean. He’s nicely dressed. He smiles — a lot. He’s not asking for money (although I bet he still gets some), just votes. He doesn’t even have to do it — he actually wants to do it! And he’s not cleaning people’s windshields for their vote, or any other reason, for that matter. He’s not mentally ill. He’s not carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
He’s not making people uncomfortable just by standing there. He’s not discussing homeless issues with folks.
The man is not “representin’ da hood” properly.
The part that’s bugging me is how this guy didn’t have to pay the same dues as the rest of us. No dirty looks. No “Get a job!” smart-assed remarks. No kids flicking pennies at his head.
No hours of being ignored. No putting up with bad weather. No wearing the same clothes (and same sweat) two days in a row, even! Folks, this man’s nails are clean, for cryin’ out loud! All he gets is the good stuff — waves, thumbs-up signs, honks of the horn, cheers — and on top of that, he’s getting money without asking for it. Face it, the man’s got a sweet racket going. You just wish you had thought of that clean clothes/ask for votes thing first. Admit it. I have to say, though, that there is one thing positive about all this. Now, every homeless person has the power to run for governor. Even if you don’t vote (or maybe never voted), it’s good to know that your name has the same power as the average recall candidate. Just make sure your name is spelled correctly on your sign. And get a website too. Something like www.bum4guv.com.
I hate to say it, being a lapsed Democrat and all, but I voted for the recall. Do I regret that choice? Well, my position was the Governor is responsible for the entire state of California. The whole state! Not just his neck of the woods.
Everything within the borders. The electricity thing, for me, was a serious breach of attentiveness and vigilance. Was it his fault? Not the point. It was his watch. Being an ex-military man, the Governor should understand the consequences of being inattentive on his watch.
Being attentive to the infrastructure of the fifth largest economy in the world, it would seem to me, is part and parcel of the office’s job description.
Did I like the way the recall came about?
Nope. Did I like its quickness and its prowling nature? Nope. Do I think the campaign on the recall is as fair and as democratic as a regular election? Not really.
Having said all that, the thing that upsets me is how little information there is about the other candidates. I have no idea what most of them look like. Most of them are not getting even basic coverage — at least, I haven’t seen it.
Haven’t heard about any Internet site. Would look if I did. Hell, I’m not seeing anything about Gallagher or Gary Coleman! You would think there would be a regular feature in the media – Candidates of the Day. Every day, show 2-4 candidates with a picture and biography. How hard can that be? That idea must be too… too… democratic, I guess. Right now, we’re kind of being told to fall into lockstep with what is being pushed by the media. Personally, I don’t like being force-fed my choice in the voting booth.
Give me the tools to make an intelligent decision, and I will make the effort. Or is that why there’s so little information in the first place?
Curiouser and curiouser…
Besides the behind-the-scenes manipulations, this is still the most democratic election this country has seen, I think, ever. Yeah, Hollywood’s all over it like a cheap suit, and the power brokers are still getting the bulk of the press, I know. I just can’t get over it. Real people running for governor! No more spin doctors. No more handlers. You call them, you talk to them! They’ve cut out the middle-man, and passed on the savings to… you! Amazing! True, the recall’s got a carnival sideshow quality. I was looking forward to listening to my favorite news organization, that leader of integrity, The Howard Stern Show, as he grills gubernatorial candidates Mary Carey and Angelyne with the hard questions about their economic policies. Or should I be watching that instead?
Anyway, go vote for a real person. You’ll be glad you did.
Randall