Day After Election Blues: Scioto Stays Red

 

Do you have the Day After Election Blues?

We offer no excuses. Democrats suffered overwhelming losses in this week's election. Many offices were up for grabs, yet election totals show the strong tendency to vote a single party Republican ballot in Scioto County and in the State of Ohio. Everyone talks about the power of the party, not about the need for diversity and individual cooperation. The overwhelmingly GOP public vote proves the party's domination in our homeland.

In a place that very often seems to choose the party over the individual, this domination begs the question of how a political lock affects all of our lives

These days campaigns pit party nominees less as competent rivals and more as bitter enemies. Political units realize a differing opinion on a single issue produces votes. They harp on this popular difference to stir voters' emotions and make them fear outcomes of electing a candidate who will ruin their very existence.

It's come to the point where even one simple point of dissension strangles all respect for any logical variance. As a result, concessions die and disagreement often turns to total bias – now the bias is so strong that it produces furious denial of framing an issue in a different perspective. Political division is so strong that hatred rears its ugly ad hominem head, cements single-party loyalty, and perpetuates voting red or blue just because of family tradition.

The present political division in Scioto County influences our society in so many negative ways. Without input from both parties, diversity suffers as does the will toward progressive movement – plus, a lack of toleration produces discrimination and conflicts. Much of this stems from blame generated by political parties. Blame – the act of censuring and holding individuals or groups as morally irresponsible – seeks to find scapegoats for our difficult problems, yet leads to strong party affiliation. You know, “they” caused gas prices to rise or to let criminals cross the border.

What happens when one party has a virtual lock on the issues that most affect the public? That party becomes so strong that they simply advance major policy initiatives without the necessary support of the opposition. In other words, they use their power to force their own agenda and deny the opposition – party dominance assumes that only a particular conception of representative democracy (in which different parties alternate frequently in power) is valid. We know this isn't true, don't we? In hindsight, history has taught us some very important lessons – need I mention Vietnam or January 6?

Allow me some liberal examples of my beliefs that would assuredly challenge hardcore Republicans and extreme right-wing supporters in Scioto County:

I abhor gun violence and support reform but do not wish to confiscate legal, reasonable firearms.

I support a woman's right to choose, but I do not favor abortion in any irresponsible, birth-controlling nature.

I respect parents' rights to understand curriculum, yet I believe critical race theory is not being taught in public schools.

I do not favor censorship; however, I trust institutions can establish logical policies on defining appropriate, age-access to materials.

I acknowledge the difference in “sex” and “gender” while respecting the individual's rights to practice their own identity and be treated with respect and equality.

I respect religions, but I strongly support separation of church and state.

I believe the strongest society is diverse and living here where diversity is marginal at best reduces the strongest fabrics of our united nation.

I detest the opioid epidemic and illegal drug trade while, at the same time, realize private firms that specialize in life-saving rehabilitation are vital to the recovery of Scioto County and Appalachia in general.

I respect the individual but do not wish him/her to be overly beholden along party lines and “same old, Good Old Boy” policies that promote failing, single minded, conservative policies.

I strongly believe teaching children to think and reason for themselves is paramount in education and stems from tolerating diverse views in creative yet responsive settings.

In closing, I fear political domination will weaken both the advancement and innovation of the area. I have never served on a group or on a committee that discourages compromise formulated by all members to advance successful objectives. Tunnel vision and total conservatism inhibit growth. As the Republican administrations in our area rubber stamp their legislation and consolidate their views on issues, they also ignore the will of the minority, be that minority race, gender, religion, or creed.

No amount of flag-waving and denigrating opponents strengthen the fabric of our weary community. If they believe they need to “make America great again” through stepping back into the past, I would remind them that the past had significant its own problems, many of which lingered through decades … and, in some cases, through centuries, Most of these social nightmares were propagated by irresponsible leaders handicapped with blinders who refused to acknowledge political compromise and the necessity of bipartisan support.

You see what I mean? We Dems lost the election. We know it. However – “We” can be your best friend, your devil's advocate – “we” are the opposition who promise to do our best in our minority to make sure that your majority rule does not equal patting each other on the back and sanctioning rigid, total conservatism.