Morton Marcus
It’s decision time again in America. No. It’s not planning for the Super Bowl party or the Valentine’s Day gift.
It’s time to choose to what extent you will participate in the Primaries and the General Election. I not talking only about voting, which is of critical importance, but rather the too often overlooked participation in campaigns that precedes the voting.
Every campaign involves a choice between X and Y. Most people believe X will win and Y doesn’t stand a chance. My enlightened readers offer these comments:
“X has it sewed up. X stands on two well-balanced feet, solid yet ready to move. X has the mojo.
“Y’s power lies in the sound itself, asking that fundamental question, ‘Why?’ Y’s shape is challenging: Going down, Y comes together from separate realms. Going up, Y diverges into alternatives.”
Giving time and money to X is expeditious. Giving time and money to Y is aspirational. Practical people bet on “winners,” good or bad. Only irrational zealots, pre-ordained losers, support Y. Nevertheless, Y can win.
This is the disastrous situation Indiana faces again. Many voters are dissatisfied with the choices they have. That’s because citizens have allowed previous good candidates to lose through lack of support in the primary and general elections.
In Indiana, we have some very good people running against some very bad people. In Indiana, we have thousands of conscientious good people sitting on the sidelines, unwilling to give time or money to good candidates. Their excuses for inaction, “You can’t win in this district/state.” Or “It’s rigged, and my effort will be for nothing.” Or, “I can’t afford to give what I pay for one month’s streaming.”
Bad people get in and stay in elected office when good people sit watching Celebrity Curling on TV and placing bets on Fantasy Football.
It takes intensive time commitments to make the contacts and secure the funds enabling candidates to get known. Without money there are no bumper stickers and yard signs, no radio and TV ads, no mailers, little content posted on line, and few personal appearances. Without volunteer time there are no offices to coordinate local efforts.
Many Hoosiers consider all forms of electioneering nothing but nuisance and wasted resources. Professional consultants may agree or disagree based on experiences from other places and other times. Yet no one knows what magic works without feet on the ground.
Victory can be achieved, if we stay out of the quick sand of assumed defeat. Don’t dismiss the future by ignoring today. Support with your time and money those candidates who know the complexity of what needs to be done and have the courage to do it.
Indiana deserves politicians who bring honor to our state. We must avoid perpetuating that image of backwardness, ignorance, and incompetence we have endorsed too often.
Mr. Marcus is an economist. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow him and John Guy on Who Gets What? wherever podcasts are available or at mortonjohn.libsyn.com.
