For the Media

Life during the weeks leading up to the presidential election can be boring, and frustrating, for me as a Californian, as well of the millions residing outside the critical battleground states. When past elections and current polls can predict whether the state will go McCain or Obama, we are reduced in strategic importance, taken for granted because of the unconditional loyalty given to one candidate, or deemed beyond salvation because of unwavering support for the other. The national candidates don’t visit or phone often. When they do, it is to tap our accounts. You can’t blame the campaigns for acting rational given the “winner takes all” procedure within the Electoral College system, but there are consequences.

It is not simply a matter of feeling slighted. Swing states skew the political issues bubbling to the top. They and their worries are the media darlings, while the rest are delegated to the back pages. Non-swing residents are the large majority, but our concerns take a back seat. We also feel ineffective at home, as if door-to-door campaigning and get-out-the-vote efforts here will have very little meaningful impact on the national outcome. A few thousand votes in one direction or another will not tip the scale. This dampens political activism and civic engagement, and trivializes the canvasser’s pitch that “every vote counts.”

So, how does one remain politically active? We can contribute to the battle in the states up for grabs. Many are taking time off to do the essential out-of-state grunt work. Of course, we can also donate money knowing that much of it will be spent strategically elsewhere. We can turn our attention and energy to politics in our backyard. While not as glamorous as presidential campaigns, we can take solace in the over used cliché that “all politics is local.”

Ameliorating the limitations of living outside the swing states is possible, but the palliative solutions do not satisfy me. Our system should give every voter an equal stake in the outcome and encourage all to participate as fully as possible. Moving away from the current “winner takes all” procedure in 48 states and the District of Columbia can help. Direct popular vote or electing Electoral College representatives by Congressional districts, or some other scheme, would be an improvement. Some alternatives are easier to implement than others, and there is the unavoidable problem of political gaming when one party pushes for reform only in selective states, such as an effort here in California. Fair structural change requires a national transformation. Those of us in the majority non-swing states constitute the people with a vested interest in pursuing such an agenda. In a debate about how a president should be chosen, we are very relevant.

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Comments

nice86 says:

http://www.silicone-cases.com/BlackBerry-silicone-cases/ Thanks, nice article

Derric CP says:

pri says:

last minute says:

last minute http://www.odlotowewakacje.com egipt

Paul Ong says:

Hi, Two quick responses. Yes, very impressed by how the primaries have charged things up, particularly among young adults. Still, wish our system did not marginalize non-swing states. As for efforts to change things, there are many. No particular favorite, but you can find them using Google or any other internet search engine. Try the terms "reform" and "electoral college".

Be The Change says:

I agree. The National Popular Vote is the "change we want to see/be." But you have to admit, the Democratic presidential candidates, in particular Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have done an incredible job energizing constituents who are eligible to vote (but haven't voted), to vote! Just look at the statistics! Between MLK Day 2008 and Labor Day 2008, activists made the calls and door knocks that gave rise to a net increase of 1/3 million Democratic voters (from 6.8 M to 7.1 M Democrats), a net increase of 100,000 Decline to State voters (from 3 M to 3.1 M DTS's), and a net loss of 2,000 Republican voters (from 5.229 M to 5.227 M Republicans). Californians voters & activists are truly inspired, "fired up and ready to win!" They've have been hard at work translating, making in-language calls, and traveling to Nevada, to help our neighbor, and sister state, Nevada, create, and sustain, the transformative and transcendent process (called civic engagement) that is empowering Nevada to become blue, and stay blue! So don't be bored! This our time. Our time to inspire, and get folks energized, in this great new movement for social change and the National Popular Vote.

marginalized says:

I couldn't agree more... but how can we change the system? If there are movements underway, I'm happy to lend my support.

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