Over the many years the I have been writing editorials, and offering my thoughts on elections, things have shifted. I did not foresee the kind of shift we are currently living with, because things do not move and then settle. They shift, and then shift more and then shift again.
The kind of political stability we took for granted is gone, and is not likely to return anytime soon. This is not how we learned to surf, but the big waves must be faced. It’s time to paddle out. Way, way out.
The June ballot, a primary, will be the final word on some things, and the beginning of the next conversation on others.
While I was not a big fan of Eric Swalwell, he did look like the next version of center Democratic good guy, and likely would have been elected if he wasn’t a rapist. I have to say, rapists are getting a lot of attention these days, and that’s a good thing.
The fact that I have to say it – that men have been exempt from judgement and that free pass is expired – is crucial.
A phrase that I learned in the yoga community, “the way you do anything is the way you do everything,” is a contradiction to our compartmentalized culture. People who treat other people as if they are less than human are exposing the truth that they think of themselves as less than human too. Or perhaps just exempt from standards of human behavior.
Imagine how different our local politics would have been over the previous century if things like rape and domestic violence were treated as actual crimes. Which they are.
Swalwell’s departure from the contest shifted things. Even with ballots out now, there could be more shift.
I tend to dislike billionaires, but then there’s J.B. Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois. He has proved, in many situations, that he has ethics, that he cares about people and the he believes in the rule of law.
Billionaire Tom Steyer has yet to convince me that he’s the right person for the job, but the amount of money being spent by entities like the California Chamber of Commerce to tell me how awful he is goes a long way towards getting my approval.
One of my basic rules of voting – whoever advertises the most heavily, THAT is the side you need to vote against. Whoever is packing my mailbox with postcards and fliers… you have persuaded me in the other direction.
I have a huge preference for Katie Porter. She meets almost every standard that I have, but the under-tow, the cross current, is that fabulously qualified women have inexplicably lost some of the most important elections ever. Inexplicable to me, but rapists and wife beaters – they don’t vote for women.
Prejudices that cause people to vote against their own best interests are not limited to gender.
When Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley was running for governor of California, almost every poll had him as the winner. But a shocking number of people took their white hoods with them into the voting booth, and we got George Deukmejian.
Elections have consequences.
As ever, if you have done your homework and your research and you are happy to post your ballot, thanks for voting. Your voice matters.
If you are still making decisions, I will be posting the “Mark Your Ballot” column a bit early, because voting before June 2 is a good plan. Look for it before the end of this month.
It’s very likely there will be more shift. Our best option is to surf with it.
Judith Martin-Straw
