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The
General Election: Two Close Ones and a Slam Dunk In 1996, only 49% of registered voters went to the polls, and the upcoming election might have an even lower voter turnout. The reasons? They could be: a) we think things are going soooo well that we don’t have to vote, b) we think our vote doesn’t count, c) we are turned off by lackluster candidates, or d) we are disgusted with the lying commercials and special interest spending. Are these reasons valid? No. Vote anyway. If you don’t want to participate in democracy’s most distinguishing process, you might as well move to one of those little countries with a funny name and a left-wing or right-wing dictator. Besides, the biggest turnoffs and worst campaign abuses are at the national and state levels. Our local campaigns are, by comparison, models of democracy in action. So let’s look at three curious races. THE PRESIDENCY As a public, we’re still looking for a good presidential candidate from one of the big parties. Unfortunately, we only have Bush and Gore to choose from. They are both empty suits, but I’m voting for Gore because he’s the lesser fraud. I think he’ll win, but by a very narrow majority. Bush fully reflects why the Republican party is on its last legs. As a result of kissing up to the Radical Right and Big Business, Bush puts out the same old chatter: school vouchers, no affirmative action, no abortions, an insurance-based plan for drugs for seniors, and the old mantra about a tax cut (which, quelle surprise, benefits the rich). Poor Al Gore isn’t the most dazzling guy (and is subject to memory losses about fundraising), but he’s got more good and less ill in him than Bush. The next President might appoint as many as three Supreme Court justices during his term. That could easily affect women’s right to choose. On that alone, I’ve got to vote for Gore. Granted, Gore’s all wrong about gun laws, but that’s not enough to justify voting for Bush. I know that Nader and Buchanan are alternative choices with clear messages, but I can’t spare them my vote this time. DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISOR The Zant/Seghezzi race for District 1 supervisor was close in the primary and will be just as close in the general election. This is unexpected when one of the candidates is an incumbent. Clearly, it’s a referendum on Peter Van Zant. It’s not about how many people support him, but about how few people he has offended. I believe Van Zant has done a good job. In the past he conducted public forums and seemed to have a genuine interest in people’s views. Now, I too often hear him accused of arrogance and neglecting constituents. On issues, you can be sure that conservatives (some with money) oppose him over the General Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, and Wild & Scenic. Also, I don’t think Van Zant has been able to shake the unfair perception that the Rural Quality Coalition sets his agenda. So he will have some challenges convincing voters that he should stay in office. Opponent Greg Seghezzi, while a decent man, doesn’t bring anything to the race that uniquely qualifies him to be supervisor. Anyway, I predict Peter Van Zant will squeak by and call it a mandate. GRASS VALLEY CITY COUNCIL Here’s a juicy contest, with seven candidates for three seats. My prediction is Linda Stevens (the incumbent vice-mayor), Bill Hullender (the incumbent mayor), and a toss-up between Dee Mautino and Rob Kellenbeck. Tom Reagan was not an active campaigner the last time he ran and I don’t think he will make much of a showing this time. Steve Enos and Dean Williams bring to the race strong views opposing proposed annexations. Their campaign literature suggests that annexations will cause the freeway to be widened to six lanes and Safeway to move out of downtown. Unfortunately, this isn’t supported by government documentation that Bill Hullender uses as part of his campaign literature, and I suspect the manager of Safeway is getting tired of telling people that there are no plans to close the store. In my view, the city’s in pretty good shape, and people are not likely to change its course. These are the races to watch. Of course, we will find it very satisfying if we know that our vote influenced them. So once again, it’s no time for apathy. Vote. Barry Schoenborn is a technical writer, and a 12-year resident of Nevada County. His column appears the second Saturday of the month. barry@wvswrite.com is his e-mail address. The opinions of columnists are not necessarily those of The Union. |