Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Why Tuesday?

If you have been hanging out in Des Moines, Iowa the past few weeks amid the pre-caucus hoopla, you might have seen a horse-drawn carriage rolling around town bearing a banner with a banner that reads "Why Tuesday?" This organization, Why Tuesday? provides some interesting insights to voter turnout in the United States and proposes election reform.

It was founded in 2005 to honor the fortieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (the year the Kay graduated from high school) and it is dedicated to educating us to the importance of voting and making it easier and more to vote through election reform. Their motto is: Fixing our voting system one question at a time.

They've in been in Iowa for tomorrow's caucuses and asking the candidates questions about election reform to increase voter turnout -- only two haven't spoken to them: Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. Fred Thompson refused to talk to them.

Did you know:

  • That out of 172 countries, the United States ranks 139th in voter turnout?
  • That only 6-7% of eligible voters in this country actually voted in the last two presidential elections?

The folks at Why Tuesday are a bipartisan effort to bring awareness on our low voter turnout and issued a 10 Question Challenge to each of the 16 candidates and you can watch their video responses at the website highlighted above. I urge you to visit and listen to their responses,

I have been very interested in this group since I discovered it in my travels around the 'Net because I have despaired over this issue often and am delighted someone is doing something about it.

I have voted in every election since I turned 21 -- the legal age for voting in Ohio in 1968. I don't understand people who don't vote. I also contend that if you don't vote, you lose your right to complain about the government and I'll be damned if I'm gonna lose that right. Part of the problem in Washington, in my totally not humble opinion is that they think, because most of us don't vote, that they can use us as doormats and do anything they want.

Whether you like Tim Russert or not, I think what he says in the video below is an important message. Tomorrow the Iowa caucuses are taking place and we'll see who comes out in front.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!

Kay




1 comment:

  1. TIM RUSSERT?? Oogly boogly!!!

    thanks for the chuckle of the day...before breakfast yet!!

    ReplyDelete

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