Letters to the Editor for April 7

Basketball, elections? It's that time of year.

March Madness

Many months ago, there were some 351 men’s basketball teams starting with the same win-loss record. Any of them could have gone to the “big dance” to win the national title. However only one will accomplish this. In the end, as the final four becomes the final two, your favorite, your alma mater, the team you root for, probably won’t get to the field of 68, much less the title game. But on a Monday night you will watch the game anyway, as so many of us do. (The stats for women’s basketball are the same, but as this is primarily a metaphor, let’s not quibble. Oh, and ‘go hokies.’) 

Similarly, there were millions of American citizens eligible for the presidency who could have won the nomination of a major party. Or there was time to begin a grassroots movement of a third party with significant potential. But who could have guessed that the sitting president and the clear leader of his opposition party would be the prime candidates? Should’a seen that one coming.

Now we are here. That majority of voters who did not want to see a rematch was not “silent,” but they did nothing consequential. The wishing does nothing to alter the facts any more than cheering “go Hoyas” will get them to the final four. Who was supposed to do what to bring about a new slate of politicians?    “Anyone? Bueller?”

Refusing to vote, or casting a vote for “Popeye,” is the same as painting a protest sign and throwing it into the basement. What does that accomplish? This year, once again we are faced with opting for the lesser of two evils. Holding your breath until you turn blue is the path for spoiled brats. If you love your country enough to refuse to vote for this candidate, prove it by voting for the other one.   

No matter what person you would be happy to vote for, they are not options today. Ronald Reagan is dead, Barack Obama cannot serve. It’s too late to feel the Bern, and we are running out of Bushes. If some particular issue is so important to you that you refuse to vote for option “a,” make sure option “b” is a wiser choice for dealing with that issue. Otherwise you could be exacerbating the very crisis that concerns you most.

The crowd at the ball game 

is moved uniformly 

by a spirit of uselessness–

which delights them

          –William Carlos Williams

The understandable sentiment that President Biden has not been nearly forceful enough in his condemnation of Israel’s excesses in the struggle against Hamas has led to “uncommitted” votes. But keeping in mind Donald Trump’s actions and rhetoric as regards the Middle East, ask yourself if you believe the situation would improve under his watch. And do consider that this election may be the last chance to cast a vote for president.

Hugh A Lowry
Fredericksburg

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