It's time again for local residents to begin analyzing their choices for public office -- both in the voting booth, but perhaps more importantly, in the run-up to the election. The Clinton County Dems received the following letter from a member who had this to say in a post published on their website.
Again, the rhetoric runs thick. Television news has been driving home the mantra that the 2010 elections will swing the political pendulum back to the right. If you listen to talk radio, you'll hear that 2010 is in the bag. They use the smallest of election results as a crystal ball that tells us what is in store this November. While we cognitively know that these early primaries and special elections don't constitute a national mandate, the truth is, Republicans could regain control--but only if we allow it to happen.
A little over a year ago we witnessed what was arguably the most historic Presidential race of this nation. It was a time of excitement, anticipation, and victory. But historically, we tend to lose that excitement during the important midterm races--the elections that effect us just as much as Presidential election, and in many ways more directly. Local and County elected officials affect nearly every aspect of our lives. Michigan Senate and Representative elections shape the future of our State, control the use of our tax dollars, and set voter district boundaries. Because this is the year of the new census, this midterm election must be taken as seriously as general elections.
We can no longer afford to allow Republican to set policies that continue kicking the citizens of Clinton County down the road. We can't afford to give them power to gerrymander the electorate districts again. We need to work hard for our Democratic candidates in every publicly held office in Clinton County. If we become complacent and give up without a fight we allow our lives to be governed by people who don't have our best interests at heart.
The tide is turning. Democrats can win elections in Clinton County. Only Democrats are able to change the tempo that Tea Bag Republicans continue trying to sell to a complacent voter roll. Republicans keep telling us government doesn't work, they win elections by a thread, then prove their rhetoric true. This merry-go-round needs to stop. We need Democratic candidates to step up, run for office [and volunteers & donors helping them], and prove we can do things better. The time to start is now.
~ Rick Curtis, Bath Township
More info on Redistricting:
@pbratt (July 2009). Redistricting in 2010 at Swing State Project
