There’s an article in the Eugene Register Guard today that is fascinating and, I think, points to something very interesting that’s going on with the political process. On the front page of the RG it shows the number of people who are registering to vote. According to the article the smaller parties(last four years) are drawing more Oregon voters. What does that mean? Are people feeling disenfranchised from the process and the parties? Are people sick and tired of partisan politics? As a Republican I don’t feel threatened by this at all. I think everyone should find their way to participate….Major Party, Minor Party, no Party…whatever. What concerns me more is those who simply give up and don’t get involved at all.Okay, now I hesitate to bring up this next point because it might stir people up. But if I don’t bring it up, you will. I’ve heard people ask this question….a lot. Can those who aren’t involved in the two major parties really be involved in the process when it comes to the Primary Election?..Any thoughts?
Archive for March, 2008
I think we as people are generally afraid of taking a risk. I was for the longest time. That’s because nothing is free, especially when it involves risk. Risk means everything you know could simply disappear. Risk means, when you wake up in the morning, the things you once depended on, may no longer provide the security you once felt. Risk, true risk means you may not always end up on top. It’s been almost a month since I stepped out of my old life and into this new one. It’s not always easy but I feel like I’m alive again. It’s weird. Running for office is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. In fact, it is the toughest thing I’ve ever done and I love it. It’s as though I was being held underwater, and I finally got to the top, took a gasp of air and said, Oh my gosh, this is what it feels like to be alive again.Risk Free: That’s no way to live.
One of the key issues for me in this election is involvement. It’s giving voters and non-voters the opportunity to see that participation is important and can change things. I think we almost buy into the idea that there’s nothing we can do to make change. I’m not blaming you. I do the same thing. We get comfortable, when deep down inside we know that life is not about comfort it’s about learning to be comfort with discomfort. We learn at an early age that if we get too excited about something, if we hope too much, we may be let down. Now at the age of 48 I’m inclined to say, disappointments will come and they will go, but I don’t the threat of making a mistake to keep me from coming alive.Where is all of this coming from? I spent my afternoon with some College Republicans and a neighbor who is in high school. Youth tends to bring out an underlying excitement in people doesn’t it? These are kids who want to be involved in our campaign. They believe change is possible. It’s as if they see something the rest of us may not be able to see…..and it’s so clear to them. And after two hours, it’s more clear to me.We can make change. It is possible. You’ve just got to catch the vision. I think I’ll hang out with the young folk more often.
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