‘I Don’t Bother to Vote Anymore’

One of my friends and I were having a conversation and he commented that he doesn’t vote anymore, and hasn’t for many years. He said he doesn’t bother because it doesn’t do any good; he feels that what’s good for the people is not what ends up being done.
He told me that he has lost heart in the American system of government. I think perhaps what he meant was that he disagrees with the direction we are heading.
In my view, at this pivotal time in history, how our elected officials would vote on day-to-day matters is not nearly so important as the type of judges they would support for our courts. The judges will determine the type of nation our children receive from us.
There are many people who feel that our US Constitution is outdated as written. They would like to see judges appointed who would interpret it as a “living” document, not bound by the meaning of those who wrote it.
These supporters would like to see the 14th Amendment’s privileges or immunities clause break free from current constraints and make it an unlimited bill of rights. In their view, this would authorize federal judges to create uniform political and economic justice, including redistribution of wealth, and applicable to public and private institutions.
They further believe our courts have a vital role to play in incorporating international law into our national decision making.
On the other hand, the traditionalists’ interpretation of the privileges or immunities clause is very limited, and exists to protect us from government, and guarantees only a limited number of things.
Traditionalists believe that our constitution does not guarantee one’s right to food, housing, health care, etc. Further they hold that our courts are to judge according to laws the America people pass via our elected officials, and no other. Their view does not allow for, as they state, unelected, unaccountable judges to remake America according to their own views.
As a people, we are becoming more deeply divided, as if approaching a Y in the road. Those on the left feel that it is immoral for some to have so much, while others have relatively little. Thus they tend to vote for people who would appoint judges who support a living constitution, providing through an enlarged government, greater equality and prosperity for all.
Those on the right argue that it is the place of government to provide equality of opportunity for everyone, but what each person does with that opportunity determines what one earns. They argue that when some are allowed to grow rich, everyone prospers more, and that it is this system which has made America the most prosperous, freest nation on earth. They argue that redistribution of wealth has failed in nations where it has been tried.
There are many well-intentioned people on either side. We have an election upcoming in less than three months, and it is vitally important that we understand the issues and vote.
Art Hall, publisher