Wednesday Words
To Go Where Your VisionPoints, a few inspiration points for you and your business.
I hope these quotations will grab you no matter where you call home, though I’ll admit, I’m both off-topic and a bit U.S.-centric today.
In the shift from direct democracy to representational democracy, the printed book became an embodiment of thought for the physically absent author; and so the popular art form of the popular book and the pamphlet re-presented ideas and contributed to the public space of political philosophies of the Enlightenment.
Television, however, now brings forth this new kind of public space, and it calls into being this new world, not of the educated citizenry in a republic, but of the electropeasantry in the state of Entertainment. Recall how people stopped singing in pubs when they brought in the TV set, and you will appreciate the new passivity in which people stop voting for their representatives as TV takes over the electoral campaigns.
—William Irwin Thompson
Inform yourself. Don’t wait for the t.v. to do it for you. You’ve got a critical job to do in less than one week, and the “new passivity” just doesn’t cut it.
The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery, for slavery consists in being subject to the will of another, and he that has not a vote in the election of representatives is in this case.
—Thomas Paine
Feeling lazy? Skip voting, and you’re enslaving yourself to the will of the hundreds of millions of us who will get out next Tuesday. I can decide your fate if you want me to….
I hope that no American … will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant.
—John F. Kennedy
Or on account of his skin color. Or on account of his age. We’re better than that. Vote for the mind, and the heart, and the visionary, unflagging spirit of your country’s next leader. Whomever you believe that should be.
Finally, some of my favorite words I’ve ever read:
Let every man or woman here, if you never hear me again, remember this, that if you wish to be great at all, you must begin where you are and what you are, in Philadelphia, now. He that can give to his city any blessing, he who can be a good citizen while he lives here, he that can make better homes, he that can be a blessing whether he works in the shop or sits behind the counter or keeps house, whatever be his life, he who would be great anywhere must first be great in his own Philadelphia.
—Russell Herman ConwellConwell gave this public address more than 6,000 times from 1877 until his death in 1925. He tailored his speech to individual cities by changing Philadelphia, his home town, to the name of the city where he was speaking.
To my Dear Readers in the U.S.: Vote next Tuesday. This is how we begin to make our own Philadelphias better.
In my humble opinion, there’s nothing more important that you’ll do all year.
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
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29 October 2008, 8:03 am
Canadians have gotten are so cynical and burned out, we had a record low this past election. Voter Turnout was 59%.
That’s pretty sad. I don’t understand why anyone WOULDN’T VOTE.
Get off your lazy asses, put down the pork-rinds, turn Oprah off, and take TWENTY MINUTES out of your precious day to go to the nearest polling station to do your civic duty!
At the very VERY least…it will give you bitching (or gloating) rights for the next four years.
But if you don’t vote, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve forfeited all rights to complain about how the government runs things.
29 October 2008, 8:24 am
Friar,
Amen.
We’ve had our share of record lows here—imagine that, African-American men have only had the right to vote since 1869 (and then had to fight to do so), women in the U.S. since 1920, and so many folks are willing to sit on their fannies and say who needs it? People fought for it. People died for it. Imagine if they sat on their fannies instead.
I don’t think we’ll see record lows this year, but it boggles the mind why any “free” country doesn’t have record highs every year. Embrace that freedom for 20 minutes a year.
Or else, as you say, no complaining!
Regards,
Kelly
29 October 2008, 8:45 am
@Kelly
You’re right. It’s probably more recent than that, with African Americans. Sure, they could have theoretically voted in the 1800’s…but how long did it take before they actually felt safe and comfortable enough to do so, without harassment?
Heck, it wasnt’ that long ago (in the 60’s) that Federal Marshalls were escorting black students to class at some of those segregated colleges. Almost within my lifetime.
And now, after all those civil rights marches and protests, one of the candidates is African American…and he stands a good chance of winning. That’s pretty awesome when you think of it.
And then you think of the soldiers in Iraq, risking their lives. If they can do that…then SURELY Joe Six Pack (or Joe Plummer or Joe whatever the Hell he’s called) can get off his ass and pull a lever.
For God’s Sakes, how could anyone NOT vote?
29 October 2008, 8:46 am
I agree with both of you 100 percent, being a voter (and if I could vote in the USA, though I’m not a citizen, I would also do that - who gets in there affects me as a Canadian…)
On the other side of the coin I can see why people are cynical and don’t vote. Sometimes the “majority” is dead wrong, stupid, or self-serving, and the folks who just might have a better idea or know the right way to do things cannot achieve critical mass.
To be honest, I almost think there should be some kind of intelligence test to give you the privilege of voting - yes, I know that sounds wrong, but it follows on from what you said about Kennedy’s words concerning religious affiliation. Or appearance, or colour, or sex. McCain scored a lot of voters by choosing a running mate who appeals on an emotional level to a lot of people. Never mind that this individual just might not be well suited to being VP (and maybe President if Mr. McCain expires while in office).
In the old days, it might have been possible for a grass roots type thing to solve this, but today it is difficult.
(If you want an example of this that hits closer to home, Friar, just think of the politics at the Factory. You and I know we are “right”, but there are too many “believers” in power who won’t let our voices be heard. Hence we become disillusioned at work, and move on to something else eventually.)
I still think that everyone should vote and as you say it gives you “bitching rights” but sometimes you can see the other side and why people give up. If you’re on social assistance in either of our countries, just remember that every political party does NOT represent you - they represent the CEO’s, the bankers, and so forth.
(FWIW I did vote in the Canadian election and not for the party that got back into power. I vote for the local representative, not the party, and our local representative who is now on her fourth term is an idiot…)
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays - tears in the rain.
29 October 2008, 10:06 am
I am one of those early voters. I’ve been done for a few weeks. It’s all over for me except the waiting and frankly it feels great!
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post…Teeter-Totter Tribulations
29 October 2008, 12:35 pm
It is difficult to vote in the face of inevitability. We all knew who was going to win the election this year; it was only a game of inches. Not to mention the fact that it was a garbage excuse anyway. “I want more power, so I’ll call an election…” I can understand the general apathy.
(’Course where else in the world would you have a federal leader with a website showing a bird pooping on the opposition leader? And everyone says Canadian politics is boring…)
In the US, the story is a little different. If Florida 2000 told us anything, it’s that every vote counts.
There are several wars going on around the world that are proof of that.
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post…The Art of Perception (Part III): Are Customers Getting The Right Perception of Your Business?
29 October 2008, 12:35 pm
@Brett
Years ago, my buddy’s girlfriend was asking about an upcoming election. She got the candidates wrong…she didn’t even know the difference between an a PROVINCIAL ELECTION and a FEDERAL ONE. She was getting the Premier of Ontario and the Prime Minster of Canada mixed up!
Geezus Christ! It pissed me off…that in the end, HER VOTE would be just as valid as mine!.
I agree…there should be some kind of intelligence test to vote.
Of course, people will argue “OH, NOOO! You can’t do that. Voting is a RIGHT, not a privilege! Everyone should vote!”
Well, my argument, is why not kids, then? Why don’t we let 7-year-olds vote?
Because, because they’re not mature enough to have an informed responsible opinion.
EXACTLY!
Same thing should apply to adults. If you’re too ignorant to make a semi-informed, half-intelligent vote, then you shouldn’t’ be allowed.
So make adults pass a test. It doesn’t have to be hard:
Name the parties. Name the current president and vice-president. Located your state on the map. Walk and chew gum. Close your eyes and try to touch your nose.
(Sad thing is…there are plenty out there who couldn’t pass!)
29 October 2008, 1:12 pm
@Graham
At least, in the States, regardless of who wins, there will be a noticeable change.
As oppose to our “bonus” surprise election, which basically got us right back to where we started from.
(Oh wait..it DID cost us taxpayers $300 million, though!)
29 October 2008, 1:15 pm
@Graham,
Exactly - that’s why *I* would vote in the US election if I could!
(Is there still time for me to become a citizen?)
As I said, I always vote for the candidate in my local area rather than the overall party (well, unless that party’s ideology was really out of whack). Our local MP’s main message was that she was going to try and get rid of the firearms registry!
(There are a lot of hunters and outdoorsmen where we live - whether or not the registry is a good thing or a bad thing doesn’t matter, but we have bigger fish to fry up here… so I didn’t vote for her.)
@Friar,
Hear, hear! The funny thing is, Cameron (who is 7) could pass that test as he could tell you the names of the parties, the leaders, and so on… hmm…
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays - tears in the rain.
29 October 2008, 1:16 pm
@Friar,
The money they saved by canceling the SUMAC project
will pay for the election!
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays - tears in the rain.
29 October 2008, 1:19 pm
Yes, there won’t be change, which is why I think it was ridiculous. The PCs still need to make nice with the others, and Harper will have to wear that Fozzy Bear face for a few more years (until he gets his majority, and the fangs come out…)
But I do think there are three things that this election (subtly) showed:
1. The country is ready to at least consider the Liberals again, though without Dion.
2. Dion is out, leaving the Liberals to get a perhaps more powerful leader (this, I think, was a tactical error on the part of the PCs — ride a few more years with Dion, knowing that he’ll never be voted in as leader…!)
3. The name “Trudeau” is on the horizon again.
~Graham
P.S. @Kelly — we took care of the “US-centric” problem for you, I guess… lol
Graham Strong’s last blog post…The Art of Perception (Part III): Are Customers Getting The Right Perception of Your Business?
29 October 2008, 1:22 pm
Graham,
Good points
Brett Legree’s last blog post…viking fridays - tears in the rain.
29 October 2008, 2:30 pm
Brett,
LOL that you’d vote here. True, what happens here doesn’t exactly stay here, does it?
and Friar…
re: Intelligence—Here in the U.S., Thomas Jefferson supposedly wanted to have only the brightest vote. But who decides who’s the brightest? And how? Slippery slope. It wasn’t that long ago that African Americans were considered unintelligent by virtue of the color of their skin… women, by virtue of their gender… the same thing with the Irish, and people from many other lands have been tagged as stupid by otherwise smart people.
So though I see the point and get a little annoyed with stupidity (and folks who stay deliberately uninformed), I would never cast the first stone there. In this country and in yours, we do our best to provide education for the citizenry, and hope enough of them take us up on it that we get a reasonably intelligent “average” voter.
Wendi,
Yay for you! I actually like going in person, because I bring the little person and she gets a real sense of how I view it as a privilege and a powerful thrill, too. She even came to the caucuses with me as a tot when we lived in Iowa. I hope I’m raising her never to take our “right” to vote for granted, by keeping her in the middle of the action.
Graham,
As you say about 2000, every vote counts even in the face of what some might think is inevitability. Apathy changed the course of this nation’s history that year. Let’s talk in a week, I don’t think anything is certain here! It may be a long, long night again.
And thanks, I knew there might be a Canadian invasion—I approve heartily of informed folks from anyplace talking on being involved in choosing their leadership!
On my drive today I heard a guy on the radio saying he wouldn’t be voting because he didn’t like what some folks were trying to “put over on him.”
Okay, friend. Then as I wrote, I’ll decide your fate for you, so you can avoid being duped by the establishment.
IF YOU DON’T LIKE “THE ESTABLISHMENT,” DON’T LET ‘EM STAY “ESTABLISHED” IN D.C.
Or Ottawa.
Regards,
Kelly
29 October 2008, 2:47 pm
@Brett
Oh, no. NOT THAT ONE…Jacques! Surely, not the SUMAC Project!
AHAHAHAH!!!!
29 October 2008, 2:51 pm
@Kelly
Well, don’t we already do that, by arbitrarily cutting off votes by a certain “voting age”?
Who’s to say that a smart 10 year old isn’t more aware of the issues than Bubba Joe?
(But then again, maybe it’s GOOD that we don’t let kids vote). It would really suck to have Caillou as your congressman!
29 October 2008, 3:48 pm
Friar,
My NYO definitely is more informed and aware than a lot of folks who are of age. BUT, to project herself into the future and make decisions that affect a reality she hasn’t yet arrived at… she can’t even tell herself to stop at 3 pieces of birthday cake or she’ll be sick, nevermind decide which president has her retirement interests at heart. That’s what age requirements do for you. Give you the intellectual capacity for forethought, not the intelligence to use it appropriately.
You know, I can’t allow Caillou-bashing here. He’s one of my fave dudes. Gentle, curious, intellectual, bald four-year-old that he is. You gotta take that fight out to the street, Mister.
Later,
Kelly
29 October 2008, 3:49 pm
Pssst… wondering why CommentLuv isn’t working? Check how you spelled “deepfriar.” I just clicked on your name and got a giggle…
29 October 2008, 3:58 pm
Oops! I forgot this was a Caillou-Friendly house.
I’ll just leave now (tail between my legs).
But I STILL think he’d make a crummy congressman!
29 October 2008, 4:10 pm
LOL. His foresight extends to wondering whether he can get Gilbert to eat the breakfast Daddy burnt before Rosie tells on him.
I’m not voting for Caillou, either.
29 October 2008, 4:22 pm
@Kelly
No, but on the other hand, I DO like Dora’s stance on the Environment and Eco-Tourism!
31 October 2008, 3:09 pm
Nice–this post is so spot on, thanks and let us all raise the bar on our expectations…as you say re the negativity and divisiveness we’re struggling through: we’re better than that. Thanks!
cass nevada’s last blog post…Social networking case study 10.10037-1
31 October 2008, 3:38 pm
Friar,
I want to come up with a snappy comeback but I’m all out of kid-show references. It’s been a pathetically busy week, which I guess is good but my brain’s fried, so I’ll just say LOL. Nice Dora quip.
Cass,
Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. Yes, we’re better than that, and I hope next week that at the very least, we’ll shake the rafters of this fine nation with amazing levels of engagement. I can’t think of a better way to start a recovery than with a couple hundred million voters raising their voices all at once.
Welcome to Maximum Customer Experience!
Regards,
Kelly