EQ8: RTV ≠ AV

Dear Friends,

RTV = Right to Vote
AV = Actual Voting

There has been a lot of speculation about why Eric Cantor lost his primary challenge from a little known Tea Party favorite in a year where the press narrative is that the Republican Party establishment is regaining control of the party from the Tea Party.  In his column in The New York Times this morning Paul Krugman explained his theory (here) which I hope is correct.  Essentially he postulates that the Republican base, i.e. the Tea Party, has finally figured out that at election time the Republican establishment talks about social issues but once in office forgets about those and does the bidding of the 1%.  His column is much better than my summary so you should actually read the column.

In the now famous Virginia primary election in which Eric Cantor lost his job approximately 12% of the eligible voters turned out.  The old adage that the world is run by those who show up was once again clearly demonstrated.  Americans are terrible at voting and were even before it became the Republicans' goal to make voting as difficult as possible.  In the 2012 Presidential election, 58.2% of eligible voters actually voted.  I am proud to say that Minnesota topped the list with 75.7% participation.  In Minnesota it is so easy to vote that there can be no excuse for not voting.  Hawaii is worst at 44.2%.  Here is a great chart so you can see how your state performed.

Participation in non-Presidential election years is even worse.

When you think about these miserable participation rates and what has happened at the State level about redistricting and restrictions on voter eligibility, the small number of people that vote in the off year elections are making it more and more difficult for our democracy to work.  We need to get the vote out and get the vote out big this fall and every fall.

As Keith Ellison, my wonderful, liberal Representative says, "When progressives show up, progressives win!"

Support the candidates of your choice, vote and get everybody that you know that is eligible to vote too.

Thanks for reading and please comment,
The Unabashed Liberal