For me, researching even some of the local issues are problematic insofar as long-term ramifications because the ballot language these days often seems manipulative, a yes to say no or a no to say yes, etc...Why would one vote to give away the power to choose now or at some future time to unknown others "when the iron is hot"? Who determines when that time has come or who might ultimately benefit from lots more than just a few cents per kwh? Then, to opt out, one's name needs to published in a publicly available database? (the issue: alternative energy aggregation--negotiated community costs).
As for candidates, my parents would wink at kids so bold as to ask who they supported with their votes and why - it was some sort of private secret not to be shared with anyone, especially children, even more specifically perhaps, female children. I'm only a 3rd generation white female American; on my father's side, my "German" grandparents arrived on America's shores from Germany and Prussia before women could vote. What shaped their move here isn't known nor ever discussed. I wasn't around when women's suffrage began or was ratified nor when the abolition of slavery was challenged and changed our constitution. I'd like to think I had a great public education in the ideals of democracy; unfortunately, they failed to teach the mythologies of the country's actual gaslighting politics. What would my parents and grandparents have wanted to stay buried in silence or through the discourse of their unspoken politics? Hmmmm...
I remain horrified by the character of most, if not all, of the GOPs leaders and candidates during my lifetime, and both the new and older horde of "willingly ignorant" that follow along without a critical thought that the GOP is a "protection racket" of lies and corruption that will never, ever lift them from the traumas that shaped them nor the fear that grips their faulty mental processes.
The GOP no longer believes in democracy, justice, civility, negotiation or solutions to problematic issues of daily living in America. They do believe in wealth, in fascist power, and in tyranny over whomever hasn't yet attained wealth, health, nor acquired the power that once moved mountains and that made America like no other country on earth in which to live a better life! That process wasn't, of course, without some growing pains. However, it's clear THAT iron is evidently hot enough and, while we still can make choices by democratic ballot, not by suppressive obstruction, intimidation, and coup, - VOTE!
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