Voting with eyes wide open (or shut)...

 

 

 

"This time, are we voting to get a pig in a poke, or the 'real deal'?"

Here it is folks. The first shot across the bow. The number one thing to do as we kick off the Election 2014 season. Yes, it is caucus night. A chance to meet and greet, hear and be heard, see and be seen. In the land of grass roots politics, it does not get much "grassier" than caucus night in Minnesota.

I am fascinated by voting. In particular, why people continue to vote for the same type of candidate which has led to a broken or dysfunctional system. I don't mean to gang up on the Democrats, since both parties do it. I will however, address the "Yellow Dog" Democrat. A "Yellow Dog" is an old term which means that someone is so loyal to the party, they would vote for a "Yellow Dog" if that who was on the ticket. Blind loyalty, low information, eyes wide shut.

One of the big changes we have had in our country (and our state), is more and more adults once again believe in Santa Clause. Yes, he does exist - only not in the North Pole. People will soon be hearing a slick candidate tell them he or she needs their vote. The candidate will promise to level the playing field, punish the rich, give them free health care, and so on. Lots of promise, very little substance. For today's low information voter (who believes in Santa Clause), that is all they need to hear. They can't get to the voting booth fast enough. The result has been stunning. We have a government transforming our country, our society into paper machete rather than bricks and mortar.

My advice to all this evening is to think, ask, and keep your eyes wide open. Know the smell of snake oil, and how to avoid it. There are some "true believers" in our midst - however, there are many more who are only posers. It has been said we only get the government we deserve. When you look at the metrics of our economy right now, that statement rings true. We re-elected a guy who registered off the scale on the "classic fail" meter. What did we get in return? More of the same. Eyes wide shut.

Tonight, candidates who offer real change, real hope, will get my vote. Not just anyone who is a big talker. I have been around the block enough times to know the difference between wheat and shaft. This time around I want more wheat as I am tired of being shafted.