Volume 2 No. 5

How About We All Turn Purple?

Voting has got to be one of the most complex and interesting activities for us in a Democracy. In its purest form, it is the “best” way to determine next steps. Just ask everybody what they think, count the responses, majority rules. Ahhhh….but if it were all that simple! Given all the influences that go into the voting decision, a purist, without any accommodation for reality, could have a frightening sense of security. “Just put it to a vote” and the magical outcome will shine through. Based on recent (the last 10 years) events, I think it is abundantly clear that this is not how this really works.

I could probably write a book about all of the goings-on that influence voting behavior (both good and bad) in modern American politics. More likely, someone already has. Unfortunately, as soon as that book is published it needs to be updated to incorporate technological advances and the wide-spread adoption of Machiavellian (the end justifies the means and sadly the end turns out to be worse than the means!) principles. I think it is safe to say that we live in dangerous times.

Since I don’t feel like writing a book today (especially since it would be outdated by the time it is published – if ever), I will just share a few thoughts. Don’t get excited. This is not intended to resolve this plethora of issues, but maybe I can stimulate some positive thought.

My first exposure to the world of politics (that I remember) was when I was living with my folks in NJ just outside of NYC in the 1960’s. I was in grade school at the time (there was no such thing as middle school back then) pretty much focused on getting good grades and collecting for my paper route. A pretty full plate. Local politics in NJ were not on my radar. (Probly just as well) But, Mom and Dad’s day was not complete without their daily dose (excluding weekends) of Walter Cronkite and the CBS Evening News. There was the occasional taste of Huntley/Brinkley and later Harry Reasoner (Google it!)but, they were pretty much stuck on the most trusted man in news. (Many years later, my Mom still had a framed photo of Mr. Cronkite placed prominently on top of her big console color TV!) In addition we would get our local news from nearby NYC stations (all 5 of them). Gathered from that, we were exposed to New York politics and a large dose of national interest.

As an interesting(?) side note, I must make a small correction. My actual first exposure to a politician was somewhat earlier when I was in kindergarten or 1st grade. We weee living in Reading PA at the time. For some reason, way beyond my control at that age, we went to the Reading Airport to get a glimpse of Henry Cabot Lodge (prominent Republican VP candidate) as he landed or took off (don’t remember which) for a campaign stop. Not only did I see him, he stopped and shook my hand, or more likely patted me on the head or even more likely, on the top of the little baseball cap I was wearing. My Mom was way more excited than I was, but the memory still sticks with me!

The strange thing was, now that I think about it, I don’t remember any of us identifying as a Republican or a Democrat. (Can you imagine.)I do remember the John Birch Society (Again , google it), an admittedly an extreme right wing organization at the time. There were people (admitted mostly white males – As Walter would have said, “That’s the way it is”)who we liked ‘cause they cared about making everyone’s lives better. There were good candidates and bad candidates. At the time, the Democrats and the Republicans BOTH had room for people who leaned liberal and those who were more conservative. My Mom loved Hubert Humphrey but she also strongly supported Jacob Javitz (NY House) and John Lindsey (NYC mayor)- both solid Republicans. Back then, it was not @bout figuratively swearing an oath to some monolithic policies from the hierarchy of a political party, it was about picking the right (or left) man (sorry!) for the job. There were no red states or blue states. You didn’t automatically agree or disagree with a senator being interviewed on the Sunday news programs based upon whether they had an (R) or a (D) displayed next to their name on the screen. Yes, these were simpler times.

I guess what I am trying to get at here, in a round about, nostalgic way : Wouldn’t we be better off not getting all wrapped up in this red state/ Blue state dichotomy? How about we all just decide to turn purple?! That’s right! No predestined allegiance to this “good guys” vs. “bad guys” simplification to more easily divide and conquer. Vote for the person, the one who puts constituents first and party second (or third or fourth). WARNING! This would involve some work on the part of the voter. They might have to do some research, ask some tough questions, use some judgement. It would definitely mean not relying on sound bites or ads (paid for by people/companies who care little about governance and more about their financial interests) to decide who to vote for. Yes, I know, this would probably involve a healthy amount of skepticism and more than average use of our brains. That couldn’t hurt!

How about it? Let’s all turn purple. Let’s make politics about what we can all accomplish together and not about what color our state is on John King’s magic screen on election night.

It would be a start.

PS. There is so much more to be cranky about on this topic. Stay tuned for more to follow.