THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605110128
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RONALD L. SPEER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Well, it's nice to know that two out of three people I meet in the next few months won't be talking about politics or government.
They won't be whining about the actions of the people who decide what we pay in property taxes. They won't be whining about anything that goes on in our schools. And they won't be whining about highways or beaches or anything else in which government plays a role.
The reason they won't is because they didn't get a ``Right To Whine'' button May 7. The button goes only to people who cast ballots.
In North Carolina, there surely is a law that says, ``No vote, no button. No button, no whine.''
So in Dare County, where I live, that means that only one of three people I meet are entitled to wear the button and talk politics or government or schools or roads.
The other two folks I meet can discuss their kids or the weather or bowling, but they have to stay clear of what goes on at the school house or City Hall or the statehouse.
The reason is that only one-third of my county's registered voters cast ballots Tuesday. Similar tales of disinterest echoed over the area, including Virginia Beach.
The big draw in American politics is the presidential race. I've never understood why people will pass up voting for the city council and school board members who control our everyday life, but will fight to get to the polls to cast a vote for president.
Every couple of years I worry over ways to get more people involved in voting.
Issuing ``Right To Whine'' buttons is my latest idea, but obviously far bolder steps are needed. Maybe we could force a non-voter to wear a scarlet ``A'' on the chest as did Hester Prine in ``The Scarlet Letter,'' although this A would stand for ``Apathetic.''
Perhaps we could punish people in their pocketbooks, since money is the American way. A fine of $25 could go to an educational fund. But perhaps the best way to draw a crowd at the polling places would be to shut them down. I bet we'd take to the streets demanding our rights. We'd knock down doors and push through police to cast a ballot if the government told us we couldn't vote.
Perhaps you've got a better idea. If you do, please share it with us all - if you voted.
If you didn't vote, forget it. I'm not talking politics or government or schools with anyone without a ``Right To Whine'' button.
KEYWORDS: ELECTION
by CNB