The Artdog Quote(s) of the Week

In many parts of the USA, Tuesday is Election Day. Do you know who (or what) is on the ballot? Have you done your research? Maybe even already voted, in places that allow advance voting? Good for you! When a 53.4% voter turnout is a record year, a lot of people’s voices aren’t being heard. Will your voice be heard this year?

Here's a pair of illustrated quotes. In the left-hand one Thomas Jefferson says, "We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." on the right, Susan B. Anthony says, "Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it." I intend both to encourage you. Will your voice be heard?

For those of you asking, “Wait! There’s an election?” shame on you! But it’s still (just barely) not too late. Vote Tuesday! Will your voice be heard? Or will you be one of those who roll over with a yawn and fail to show up, then complain that your voice isn’t heard?

Excuses aren’t hard to find. Will your voice be heard?

Yeah, it’s an off-year. No big marquee names (at least, none are marquee names now. Political careers begin with elections like the one we’re facing this week). But local elections matter precisely because things that happen locally impact us immediately. But they also are the launch-pad for larger careers.

Case in point: who knew, ten years ago, that anyone outside of South Bend, IN would care who its mayor was? Trust me: Small elections matter. And there’s no other place where your vote counts more. 

As one-time Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill famously said, “All politics is local.” Engrave it on your heart and believe it. Small, local elections matter tremendously. So let your voice be heard!

Here's a red-white-and-blue design with a photo of the late Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill. It illustrates his famous maxim, "All politics is local." Even in a small, local election, we should let our voices be heard!

So. What’s on your ballot?

In Johnson County, Kansas, it’s an ongoing saga. You may recall in August, we voted in a primary to narrow the field of candidates for local races (in Westwood, only the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees, but it was a battle of progressives versus conservatives, and quite an interesting contest). Tuesday we make the final cuts in that race.

But wait! There’s more! We’re voting for a Mayor and two City Council Members in Westwood, and the local Shawnee Mission School Board has some hotly-contested races. But possibly the most contentious race is for Water District One.

I’m not kidding: the Water District. Climate change and concerns raised by failures in Flint, MI and Newark, NJ have ignited a very active ballot. Think water isn’t important? Try doing without! Yes, Local elections make a big difference to local quality of life. Will you vote? Let your voice be heard!

Here's another pair of quotes to urge you to vote. George Jean Nathan says, "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don't vote," and George Carlin says, "If you don't vote, you lose the right to complain."

IMAGE CREDITS: Many thanks to Country Living and “15 Voting Quotes that will Make you Proud to be an American” for the quotes from Thomas Jefferson, Susan B. Anthony, George Jean Nathan, and George Carlin. The quote from Tip O’Neill is courtesy of Jacobs Media Strategy. Thank you very much, to both!