How many times have you voted in the last 12 months?
We had Presidential elections two years ago. Was that the last time you cast a ballot? We elected our Clarksdale city commissioners and mayor last year. How did that go?
So I hope you will get out and vote Tuesday.
If you like the way the nation is headed then support incumbent Democrat and longtime politician, Bennie Thompson.
If you want change, cast a ballot for a Republican or Independent candidate. There is even a spot for a Write-In Candidate.
I grew up in a military family that took voting very seriously. I can remember following Momma and Daddy into the voting booth at a very early age.
I will show my age and say I also remember my parents discussing Hubert Humphrey, George Wallace and Richard Nixon around the supper table. I remember them voting for two separate candidates on that one!
All politics is local
A wise old politician once told me all politics is local.
After watching campaigns, elections and political shenanigans for 25 years, I’ve come to the conclusion this is true.
When you look at the national picture, you have to remember that it all filters down to a particular region or community heading to the polls and marking a ballot.
Yes, you can debate the merits of the national media, the two-party system and massive political machines, but I’m always impressed at how it is a man or woman quietly walking into a polling place that determines who is in charge of the greatest and most powerful country on earth.
And it is local people who team up with a particular candidate early on in a campaign that make things happen. They put signs in their yard, bend the ear of family and friends and then make sure their people get out and vote in the primaries and general election.
It’s not a perfect system but it’s the only one we’ve got.
A look ahead
Coahoma County and the State of Mississippi will have county and state races going hot and heavy at this time next year.
We’ll see how that shapes up.
We hope our best and brightest are already thinking about running for political office.
“Those too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are stupid.” That was said by the philosopher Plato more than 2500 years ago
The movers and shakers around here need to put their hand on the tiller. They need to be looking and encouraging good people to run for office.
We also need candidates that live in the houses and voting districts they say they do.
Every candidate for a county and state office needs an opponent next summer. We deserve better. We deserve a choice.
Eternal optimist
The winds of change are blowing across this country -- and that is not a bad thing.
We’ll see how the mid-term elections go this year.
I am an eternal optimist and I couldn’t do this job if I didn’t think things would get better.
People are fed up with the buying and selling of power in Washington, Jackson and even Clarksdale. While I don’t think things will change much in The Delta this summer, it will be interesting to watch the tempest whirl.
If you want change, you will have a chance to vote for it on Tuesday.
If you feel we are headed in the right direction, please voting accordingly.
Let’s vote
There is a story elsewhere in your Clarksdale Press Register urging people to vote in the Tuesday’s Primary Election.
I hope you do.
I said earlier that all politics is local. I also said earlier that I am an optimist.
This is year we will see this state and country come together and work to elect our best and brightest.
This is the year that good people study the candidates and the issues and make the right choice.
Because, if you take a hard look at Campaign 2022, it is the future of our state and our country that is at stake.
Floyd Ingram is Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. Call him with your political views and news at 627-2201.
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