Politics is Gross: Vote Anyway

Yes, it’s tempting to ignore the whole circus and opt out. But that’s what they want you to do.

Election day is a month away.

I can’t imagine that there is one person in my orbit who is planning to vote that hasn’t already decided who they’re going to vote for.

So this is for anybody who may be on the fence about whether or not TO vote in the presidential election.

If that’s you, I understand where you’re coming from.

The fact is, politics is gross and exhausting and there are no saviors or easy answers. It’s hard not feel like “they’re all lousy” and decide not to play the game. Because, it’s your right as an American to do whatever you want with your vote…including not casting one.

But I would suggest the disgust you feel is actually a political strategy designed to keep you from exercising your right.

It’s a ploy to “flood the zone with shit” (including lies and misinformation) and make the cacophony so loud and unpleasant that you turn away.

The truth is, when you actually poll Americans, there’s broad agreement on lots of policies. But the “anger and outrage show” keeps people in power, so they turn up the volume.

I promise you that a majority of Americans do not want Trump to be president again. (Hell, the vast majority of his first term cabinet doesn’t want him to be president again.) I’m pretty sure he’s going to lose the popular vote. But he might still win the election.

Because not everybody votes.

There are lots of reasons for that. But a BIG set of ’em are a result of Republican strategies to put obstacles in the way of voters likely to vote for Democrats. And thanks to a calculated effort to make politics so tawdry, that plenty of good, reasonable people don’t want to engage.

As a result, a third of eligible voters don’t vote. That’s around 80 million folks who decide NOT to weigh in on the direction of our country. (Or states. Or cities. Or schools…)

That’s a shame. Because, like it or not, our leaders impact our lives. The policies that get enacted at the national level affect us and those we care about.

I’m voting for Harris/Walz. They’re not perfect, but they’re better than the alternative on every issue I care about. (Yes, including the economy. Even Goldman Sachs thinks the economy will perform better under Harris than Trump.)

You might have a different opinion and that’s fine. Your vote counts as much as mine. I simply believe that we’d be better off if more people participated, and the election results reflected a broader representation of public sentiment.

So, if you’re a voter who might not vote…I’m not telling you who to cast your ballot for. But I’m asking you to hold your nose and pull the lever.

Because if you don’t, you’re doing exactly what they want — opting out so that their minority POV might swamp the majority’s true will.

Go ahead…stick it to the man and make your voice heard.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Kovacevich lives in San Francisco and is in a place of resigned-anxiety about the 2024 presidential election.