Freedom is not a done deal. Not in America, not anywhere.
The founders did not give us freedom. They gave us a process for slowing the inevitable erosion of freedom.
This is that process.
There's a lot of talk here about whether higher turnout is a worthy goal, if that means expending energy to overcome the apathy, indifference, or jadedness of people who are thus unlikely to be astute, well-informed, or community-minded.
I say that high turnout is a good in its own right. Turnout itself—for whatever result—is an antiseptic to corruption. Low turnout is a bellwether for how much people in power can get away with. Local beat reporters are leaving journalism as the newspapers fold. Who's minding the shop? We are.
It's not just about results, it's about culture. If we are indifferent to the indifference of others, we pass a weaker democracy to the next generation.
The founders did not give us freedom. They gave us a process for slowing the inevitable erosion of freedom.
This is that process.
There's a lot of talk here about whether higher turnout is a worthy goal, if that means expending energy to overcome the apathy, indifference, or jadedness of people who are thus unlikely to be astute, well-informed, or community-minded.
I say that high turnout is a good in its own right. Turnout itself—for whatever result—is an antiseptic to corruption. Low turnout is a bellwether for how much people in power can get away with. Local beat reporters are leaving journalism as the newspapers fold. Who's minding the shop? We are.
It's not just about results, it's about culture. If we are indifferent to the indifference of others, we pass a weaker democracy to the next generation.