Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (blue polo shirt, center) and his run- ning mate, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman (red shirt, cen- ter), shown here campaigning in Crisfield, are the odds-on favor- ites to win Md.’s Democratic gubernatorial primary June 24th. (VoB File Photo/Veronica Piskor)

DISINTEREST IN ELECTION PROCESS
FOR MARYLAND’S NEXT GOVERNOR
REVEALS SEVERITY OF PROBLEM

Politicians milking system
bear responsibility for
this dangerous cynicism
 
By David Maril
 
The primary elections for governor in Maryland are looming large, just ahead on June 24th.

Turnout, however, gearing up for the Nov. 4th general election, looms small.

Make that microscopic.

However it isn’t a case of the electorate coming up short in the issues and complaint departments.

Many voters object to the growing taxes on gasoline. Some feel we are spending too much on inefficiently run social programs.

Others insist we don’t spend enough.

Some Marylanders view casinos and gambling as the lucky answer to all that challenges the state’s economy. Others predict revenue won’t be what the shills and lackeys with vested interest promise and will cause a number of other expensive economic and social problems.

We debate how to deal with, and who or what is responsible for, the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay.

Most Baltimoreans feel the city doesn’t get enough financial attention, while many county dwellers, pointing to the decreasing population, feel the city should be losing its influence.

Advocates of gloom and doom, who want to cut everything, revel in arguments that the local government is driving people, businesses and the affluent tax base to move out of state.

People on the other side take pride in Maryland’s being one of the more progressive states in the country.

We are also not coming up short in the number of candidates for governor to succeed Martin O’Malley.

DEMOCRATS INCLUDE BROWN, GANSLER AND MIZEUR

The Democrats include Anthony G. Brown, Doug Gansler, and Heather Mizeur at the top of the pack. The Republicans are led by David R. Craig, Ron George, Lawrence Hogan and Charles Lollar.

However, the leading candidate in both parties goes by the nickname of “Undecided.” Running a close second is that old favorite, “Who Did You Say Was Running?”

No, I am not going to try and convince you this is a strong slate of candidates. For the most part, they misrepresent facts, offer few specifics for the future and stick to talking points instead of addressing issues and answering questions.

But one of the reasons they feel they can get away with ignoring what matters is that most voters don’t turn out to vote and are apathetic.

Even if you are not enamored with anyone on the list of candidates, show you participate in the process, and vote.

The belief that not voting sends a message is only partially true. That message of apathy is a license for politicians to feel they can get away with whatever they want once they are elected.

Many voters who are fed up with politics say the answer to fixing the system is instituting term limits. The quagmire in Congress is blamed on complacency of the career politicians.

ELECTED PUBLIC SERVANTS GET FAT OFF THEIR JOBS

The reasoning is that term limits would shorten the amount of time our elected public servants have to get fat off their jobs, and shift the emphasis from working strictly to get reelected.

Well, the last time I checked, term limits on the presidency have not corrected the feeling many voters have that the system isn’t working as well as it should. And despite the fact that in Maryland the governor is limited to serving only two terms, there still is a strong feeling the political machines have more power than the voters.

It isn’t a case of people not caring about this country. While voters have grown weary of our putting American lives on the line while taking unclear objectives into military conflicts around the world, the nation has been in a reflective mood and there seems to be a return to respect for patriotism.

We see American flags of all sizes waving from cars, hanging in windows, mounted on buildings and stenciled on shirts and jackets.

There is, however, an ominous threat to the welfare of this country too many people would like to ignore. And, it has little to do with foreign weapons of destruction, our roller coaster and uneven economy, and the divide over immigration and other social issues.

One of the biggest threats we face is something we control ourselves —   apathy toward elections. This epidemic of not exercising the right to vote —  and ignoring a fundamental principle of our country — stems from a mixture of frustration, cynicism and laziness.

TURNOUTS WILL BE LOW EVEN IF WEATHER IS PERFECT

No matter how perfect the weather is on June 24th and Nov. 4th, you can be sure turnouts will be low. Making matters worse, this type of feeble participation has become expected and acceptable.

Excuses are almost as abundant as aggressive and reckless drivers on the Baltimore Beltway:

“What do you expect? it’s only the primaries. I’ll vote in the November election.”

“I don’t like any of the candidates.”

“Politicians are all corrupt.”

“The insider candidates are hacks and the outsiders don’t have any experience.”

“My vote doesn’t mean anything.”

“I’m turned off because the television ads are so negative.”

“You need so much money to run, nobody in their right mind gets into politics anymore.”

Whether or not you agree or disagree with all or any of the above, there are choices on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.

MARYLAND NOT SAILING THROUGH BOUNTIFUL TIMES

And it’s not as if Maryland is sailing along through bountiful times and it really doesn’t matter who fills the elected posts around the state.

What kind of message is conveyed when usually less than three out of every 10 voters bother to cast a ballot in an election? The majority forfeits its opportunity to help steer the political course of the state and nation.

Politicians, figuring their accountability is only tied to a minority of voters,  adjust their strategy accordingly.

When voting turnout drops down low enough, the will of the people is supplanted by the power of political machines and wealthy fanatics who can swing an election through their ability to spend money and mobilize.

In these times where we are preoccupied with defending our way of life, reaffirming democracy and honoring those who have made tremendous sacrifices for this country, shouldn’t voting be one of our highest priorities?

As we scale back on our military engagements around the world, instead of waving American flags, the best way to honor the people who have given their lives protecting the way we live, is to vote, fortifying the principles they died for.
 
davidmaril@voiceofbaltimore.org
 
“Inside Pitch” is a weekly opinion column written for Voice of Baltimore by David Maril.
 
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