ONE-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM PROMOTES APATHY
by Peter Moss

A recent article titled "Virgin Voters," (7 Days, Nov. 5, 2003), mentions that Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is trying to encourage young citizens to register and vote. To say that apathy is the cause of not voting avoids the issue, which is: what causes apathy?

The main cause of apathy is the reality that we live in a one-party system. Shrinking numbers are deceived by the "choice" available in the "2-party" DEM-REP set-up. After all there was bi-partisan support for the oil war in Iraq, for the tax cut for the rich, for the patriot act, for the Medicare drug "benefit" fraud, against environmental protection, etc. As a direct result, people realize that DEM or REP, the rich get richer and everybody else gets children, so why vote?

The incumbents love apathy. They can continue to collect their bribes (called campaign financing) and buy name recognition ads. No messy platforms, lofty goals, specific legislative proposals, etc. Just serve the bosses. And the more new voters, the chancier the continuation of the status quo. With only 40% voting, the DEMs or REPs can win with just 18% or 19% of the electorate (the other 2-3% go to the Greens, Progs, what have you).

A televoters act would produce instant results and increase participation. That is why incumbents will oppose it. Anyway, it's just an idea whose time has come and will not pass.

Please support a Vermont televoters act