TODAY marks the most important day in the democratic year. And the least important.
It’s the most important, of course, because it’s Election Day. Note the capital letters please. Today is the day that millions of dollars, hundreds of campaign visits and enough mud to drown a herd of swine have been leading up to. It’s the first time in months that America’s citizens have actually had a moment of peace and quiet to consider the essential question of democracy — namely, “How do I work this electronic voting doodad again?”
But never mind the voting machines, which have been deemed safe and secure by the same government that once decided to serve only “freedom fries” in the congressional cafeteria. We were talking about the importance of Election Day, the day when you cast your vote and then hope for a few hundred thousand echoes from other “common sense” voters so you don’t have to scrape the bumper sticker off your car this year.
But as I said, this day also commemorates the least important event in the political calendar. Namely, Election Day.
OK, now before the nationwide network of county clerks bands together to tar and feather me, let me explain.
Voting is essential to a democracy. But by itself, it’s not enough. Technically, the leaders of the late Soviet Union were elected. Technically, the soon-to-be late Saddam Hussein was elected. Granted, nobody else was allowed to appear on the ballots, but a vote’s a vote, right?
Or not.
Even in a free society, though, voting’s only the start. If it helps, think of it like a public school. It’s essential that you complete the first grade in order to get your education — but if that’s all you ever complete, you’ve missed out on a lot of possibilities.
After all, what do you do when you vote? You make choices off a list based on who you think will or won’t do the job best. But who makes up the list? Who checks up on them once they’re in to make sure they are doing the job properly? Who, if necessary, challenges them if they fail to perform up to snuff?
The answer is, or should be: Us, us, and us again.
But a lot of times, it isn’t. A lot of times, it isn’t even close.
For many Americans, political involvement starts and ends with voting. Make a choice, mark a square, and no more worries for two more years. But if that’s all we ever do, candidates can make any claims, any promises, any accusations they want. Why worry? It’s not like anyone’s going to check up on them.
Come to think of it, that sounds uncomfortably close to some of our more recent elections.
By all means, vote. But don’t stop there. Write letters. Make phone calls. Stay informed about the people acting in your name. Keep others informed. Get involved with a party, or a cause, or both. Maybe even, if you’re a masochist with time and passion to spare, run for office yourself.
Sure, it’s a lot of work. But so is buying a new car, choosing a college or any of a hundred other worthwhile decisions. And as with the rest, you get out of it what you put into it.
It’s your choice. Not just today, but every day.
Make it count.
Scott Rochat’s e-mail address is rochat@emporiagazette.com.