With the primary election just a day away, have you decided who you would choose to vote for you?
The question is directed to that 80 percent of the registered voters who are expected to sit on their hands Tuesday and let the 20 percent who take democracy seriously speak for them.
Who says only 20 percent will vote? Secretary of State Kris Kobach, that’s who. The same guy who persuaded the Legislature to require would-be voters to bring a government-issued photo identification document, such as a passport or a driver’s license, to the polls with them, which will frustrate a certain number of Kansas who don’t drive and never received a passport.
Kobach’s barrier — which is designed to help Republican candidates — will keep the voting percentage even lower.
But that won’t be the main problem, which is that the vast majority of Americans don’t take their political responsibilities seriously; don’t learn about the candidates; don’t research the issues; don’t vote.
The slackers — that’s the 80 percent Mr. Kobach has identified — turn over power of the ballot box to the voting few. The one who votes makes the political decisions for the four who don’t.
And because those who are politically active do vote, election results are skewed in their favor.
Now, which single-issue wing-nut will speak for you for the next two and four years?
Or will you represent yourself, dear reader, and cast your own reasonable, thoughtful, well-informed vote tomorrow? It is, after all, your duty — to dust off a nearly-forgotten, old-fashioned word. So do it.
— Emerson Lynn, jr.
