[MD] growth and sustainability

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Marsha to Krimel]
But you are correct about taking the responsibility of citizenship seriously.

[Arlo]
Let me start with this from Wikipedia.

"Over the last 40 years, voter turnout has been steadily declining in 
the established democracies. This trend has been most strongly felt 
in the United States, and has been significant in Western Europe, 
Japan and Latin America. It has been a matter of concern and 
controversy among political scientists for several decades. During 
this same period, other forms of political participation have also 
declined, such as voluntary participation in political parties and 
the attendance of observers at town meetings. The decline in voting 
has also accompanied a general decline in civic participation, such 
as church attendance, membership in professional, fraternal, and 
student societies, youth groups, and parent-teacher associations." 
(Wikipedia entry on "Voter turnout")

Voter turnout in America has been steadily around the 50% mark for 
years (up to a whopping 56% in 2004). We already have a nation where 
only about 1/2 of eligible voter actually vote. What has this apathy 
gotten us? What gains have been made by the 50% of voter who vote "no 
show" in nearly all our elections? How are we better off?

Let me ask, if only 10% of eligible voters vote in 2008, what do you 
think will happen? Do you think things are going to change? Or do you 
think that 90% of the population will have to live under 
representation chosen by 10%?

Any change to the two-party system will have to swell up from the 
bottom. Viable alternative parties must win local and state 
representation before they ever have a hope to win a national 
election, as the party faithful will never vote for a Ron Paul or 
Ralph Nader knowing it will, in effect, only mean the opposition wins 
the full election. Maybe, in an election with four parties, where 
each of the "big two" have a candidate challenging their regular 
vote. But then its the prisoner's dilemma, isn't it?

In the meantime, as we watch and must engage in working for change at 
the local and state levels, we are left with no choice but to vote 
for the lesser of two evils. Well, we have a choice, we can submit to 
the will of those of who do vote, in which case we may get the greater evil.

Now, why is apathy so low, even at the local and state levels? Why, 
if so many people are "fed up" with the two-party system, is it still 
unassailably entrenched? That's a whole other can of worms (the 
wikipedia entry presents some ideas)...