Take action

It’s hard to think of a time when larger percentages of our population were angry about our world of politics, both local and national. Party differences are more pronounced than usual, with battles over real issues that have become mired in vitriol and hyperbole. Locally many of our officials and candidates have faced different battles, with allegations — some supported by data, some not — of favoritism and wrongdoing.

And yet, as is the case in all years when the presidency is not on the ballot, we expect low numbers of voters to cast their ballots in today’s primary elections. Early voting numbers are down, compared to the 2008 primaries when presidential candidates were also begging for our votes.

Today’s election is just as important, however. Every position on the state and U.S. Houses of Representatives are up for grabs this year. These are the people who initiate the legislation in their respective chambers that deal with revenue and taxation.

Likewise, seats on the county Commissioners Court are on the ballot. Although federal laws get the largest amount of attention, county and city ordinances impose greater weight on our daily lives. Many restrictions on behavior, from noise ordinances to recycling mandates, are made at the local level. These bodies also annex property and maintain zoning policies that could suddenly allow a major commercial establishment at the end of your street, of if your home will suddenly be taken from you to build a county park, city bus terminal or border fence.

Landowners pay significant amounts in property taxes to fund the county, school, city and other local administrations. More often than not, it is these local tax bills that lead to government tax foreclosures.

Many people have expressed concern over the debate on what should and shouldn’t be included in textbooks and curricula from which our children will be educated. Many of the seats on the State Board of Education that makes those decisions are on today’s ballots as well.

Corruption is king in Rio Grande Valley politics, according to many residents and observers. Low voter turnouts make such rampant misuse of fiduciary authority possible. After all, if honest people don’t inform themselves and cast their votes, then the few votes that are cast will be made by people who have a stake in electing someone who has promised some kind of recompense for their support, whether it be assurances of tax-funded contracts or friendly votes on licensing or enforcement.

The system won’t fix itself. People who want to keep their freedoms, rights and income need to take action to defend them. When we think of all the people who have given their lives and blood to defend those rights on the battlefield, it’s obvious that the simple task of going to the polling place a couple of times a year is a small price to pay.

The benefits of being active voters can far exceed the effort. On the other hand, continued injustice and the loss of those freedoms, is a heavy price to pay for inaction.

Qualified voters who didn’t cast their ballots during the early voting period should take the time to go to the polls and make their preferences known.