Category: Politics

Of the two acts I did this afternoon — vote and get a flu shot — I have to say the latter was perhaps the most significant. That is to me, at least.

The flu shot might help keep me safe from some flu bug. And perhaps influenza can be ruled out should I get some other virus like Ebola or West Nile. The second bug is always a possibility when the skeeters are out and biting as they do here in the marshes of Southeast Texas.

But other than fulfill a civic duty, I do not believe voting today accomplishes much for me. Oh, I suppose if Wendy Davis surprises the world and wins as governor, or if Democrat Sen. Leticia Van de Putte wins Lieutenant Governor, then perhaps I will feel some satisfaction. The first doesn’t seem likely at all, however, and the second, we’ll just have to see.

We have Republicans in our local congressional districts and are likely to stay that way for awhile.

The Texas Legislature? Even worse, although there are a few Democrats including my State Rep. Joe Deshotel who can get a few things done.

In reality though, even a change in who controls Congress — Reds or Blues — will not really matter a whole lot because the number of seats gained will do little toward changing anything. Thus, we can probably expect the same do nothing Congress we have had for some time. And in the case of the people who make it a do-nothing body, that will probably be a good outcome given all the nuts loose among Capitol Hill.

While my election might not mean much, to me at least, some issues will be of importance to voters in other venues. Marijuana usage and other matters will be decided in some states. And we shall see what the impact the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission verdict the Supremes allowed will have on local governments in at least two cities.

One is the mayor-council elections in Richmond, Calif. The Bay Area city had a massive fire at its Chevron refinery in August 2012 that caused all kinds of local problems including illnesses for its citizens. This has led to numerous lawsuits including those against the city government. This election has seen millions spent on billboards and mailers for candidates who would side with Chevron. It is an overwhelming media blitz by big oil.

A similar election is taking place today in our own state of Texas. Residents of Denton, Texas, a North Central Texas, college town, are voting to ban or not ban “fracking.” That is the use of chemicals and water that are infused in the ground to create fracturing which make oil and gas flow more freely. The technique is credited for massive amounts of oil and gas, the latter pushing the U.S. into the forefront of global natural gas producers.

Opponents say fracking has its problems though, some say the possibility of fires from water spigots, even earthquake-like tremors in some vicinities.  A lot more study probably is required to get to the bottom of whether fracking is more bad than good. But it is easy to say why Denton residents might like to put a hold on the process, at least in the city limits.

This too is an election drawing unlimited amounts of moo-lah by oil and gas concerns and their supporters.

I suppose this election all depends upon where one lives whether the election is a meaningful exercise in civic responsibility. Some say that if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain. Well, by God, I have the right to complain anyway and I do. Voting apparently does some good. It’s just hard to see when it is something hundreds of thousands and millions do all at once. It’s like Chinese residents of China jumping off a chair all at once. What the hell would that feel like? I don’t want to know. But perhaps it is applicable.

And then, maybe it isn’t.