I'm About to Marry a Redneck - So Back Off!

Some of the comments in class today really upset me. Someone decided to blurt out “white trash” in reference to Republican voters (in the second video we watched together) in white pick-up trucks. It is stereotypes like this that pigeonhole people and put up barriers based on class, race or religion. Not everyone that lives in the country is a redneck; just like not every redneck is a Republican. I think it’s sad that people in our field – and especially our program – choose to be so ignorant. With such an approach it is very unlikely “you” or your candidate will ever effectively connect with an electorate… so good luck finding a job!

The purpose of my blog tonight, however, is to discuss the possibility of a national board of elections that would trump the current state and county-level programs. Funding and regulations must be established at the Federal level and enforced all the way down the totem-pole.

All too often state budgets have to make serious sacrifices in the budgets to sustain their necessary programs. Adding to those costs are voting personal and machines that are utilized only a few times a year. It is not realistic to expect a rural county in North Carolina to supply the latest technology and best trained personal for Election Day – but isn’t it essential, isn't that democracy? Every vote matters!

I’m a liberal, but even I’m not naïve enough to believe Democrats have a chance in NC at the Federal-level. However, that doesn’t mean the voters’ voices do not count! And truly, isn’t that what we are saying to them, “Good luck voting. If your lucky the line wont be too long, your registration information will be correct, you’ll completely understand the newest ballot version and mark all the right candidates, and so on and so forth; and then and only then your vote will be counted.”

Sounds to me like it’s the luck of the draw! Something has to change change...