An interesting phenomenon has emerged in the
current US presidential election. Quite a few voters do not like either
candidate and therefore do not intend to vote. But why not consider the litotes
of 'like' and vote for the candidate one dislikes the least.
There are 22 countries in the world where
voting is compulsory with fines and other penalties for those who
default. The US is not one of them. If for most of us going to vote is
a chore every two years (which matches the serving term for our
congressmen) there are ways to reduce the burden. Senators are in
office for six years so sometimes their elective term coincides with the
presidential election and sometimes it does not. Then there are state
governors and so forth including numerous judges.
To vote in the convenience of one's home which makes it easier one might want to order a mail-in ballot. It also lets us have the time to examine the candidates more carefully. Of course, people start ringing your doorbell to canvass for the candidate they are serving as volunteers. Naturally they are not unbiased in their views but the internet now is another helpful tool for assessing candidates.
If all of it sounds like too much work, it is not. Surely a half-hour to at most an hour every two years is worth an informed choice, and a vote for a person who can serve this country well.
Many countries have had to struggle, even go to war to preserve, or win their independence. Often it has also included the right to vote for who will govern them. If in democracies we do not have some general in charge putting those who disagree with him in jail, then let us thank our lucky stars and keep it that way. Just look at what happened in countries where dictators ruled in the last century ... starting perhaps with Germany.
To
return to the present and the two regions in crisis, we have Netanyahu
running rampant and Ukraine going Russia's way with a likely split.
There is little the US or Europe can do to thwart Russian goals in
Ukraine. After all, they are right next door. Of course Zelenskhy has a
'victory plan' but the response from NATO has been muted.
The
Kremlin dismissed the plan, adding that Kyiv needed to sober up. Key
elements of this 'victory plan' call for strikes deep inside Russia with
newly supplied weapons; this the West fears would cross a Russian red
line. The Wall Street Journal reports the plan is little more than a
repackaged request for more weapons plus the lifting of restrictions on
the use of long range missiles. Worrisome for the West as it makes it
appear it is using a proxy to attack Russia. That the plan also lacks a
'comprehensive strategy' according to the Biden administration gives
pause for additional concern. Nothing then to visualize any end to this
war.
On
Netanyahu and his excursion into Lebanon, the US administration claims
to have helped reduce civilian casualties although due to his attacks
there and in Gaza, 166 doctors have been killed including Soma the
doctor sister of journalist Ramzy Baroud, a frequent op-ed columnist.
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