A very interesting outcome. Apparently the majority spoke.
It sure does seem so, Diane. Not just here in lil ole Elk County Kansas but around the country.
I must say, I have learned a lot in this election. Rules, regulations, and even more about morals and values. I love this system called a Republic. Awesome indeed even with it's flaws.
I know a lot of things happened over the last two weeks, some good, some not so good. Let me fill you all in on a few details.
Starting with the day of election I know that some voters in District 1 were wrongly told that it was illegal for Mr. Ritz to be elected and if they wrote him in, their vote would not count. Some complained that because he is the chair of the Republican Committee here in the county they didn't think that it was fair that he be too involved in his county, you see. Since some were told that the write-in was illegal, they just didn't vote. Sounds like subtle voter intimidation. I have reason to believe that the Secretary of State will be investigating that aspect.
I was told that some people said they won't vote because it just doesn't matter anymore. Things are always going to be they way they are because it has always been that way. Wow. Let me go on a rant here.....
First off, too many Americans are lazy and ignorant for the most part. They were born in a country that is the greatest country on the earth, even now. They whine and complain about what is going on and believe the rumors in the coffee shops and businesses where they sit around during the day. They believe the gossip and the rumor mills and don't find out the facts for themselves.
I watched for 10 years being unable to vote in this country. I watched and learned and was disgusted at the attitudes of many. I watched this country go from the strongest country economically and in military strength only to fall into financial weakness and being unable to even provide the quality healthcare their military rightfully deserves. I've watched gross abuses of power foisted upon citizens largely because the citizens' lack understanding and engagement. Other countries still try to emulate her and yet Americans whine about what they have, largely out of their own ignorance.
Let me tell every American this: Until you no longer have the wonderful rights given to you by your forefathers and God almighty, you may NEVER understand what you have and what is slipping through your fingers.
The right to vote is precious and should be held dear to our hearts. It gives us a voice in the storm, it gives us the power to put down wrongdoing. It gives us FREEDOM. It gives us POWER and STRENGTH to help those less fortunate and help ourselves to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
All too often Americans take their rights and liberties for granted and then wonder what happened. I shake my head and say,
because you did not inform yourselves and vote wisely, you did not really care. You were fooled into believing that you would not make a difference. You were miss-informed about truths and told a lie. You were lazy and did not research it for yourself. You did not ask the right questions.
End rant here.... for now
Now to those that were upset about the write-in movement.....
It was a long shot but well worth the effort for sure. It brought out the worst in people and the good. As for the worst, I say this with my best Paul Harvey voice....
and now the rest of the story.......Some people in District 1, and maybe other Districts, did not like the write in effort. They did not like the truths being told or the effort that was being made, because that is 'not how things are done here in Elk County.' In fact they were so upset, they called the Ethics Commission in Topeka, specifically about campaign finance. They tried to silence those that were “getting out the vote” and putting out truths about what was really happening . When people showed up at their “private” little campaign meetings, because after all it was claimed to be “invite only”, they were concerned. Truths revealed, lies told, and yet the people voted them into office.
The people voted, the majority spoke. So be it. But note this fact:
Mr. Ritz, an undeclared candidate, solely through a grass roots effort, still garnered 41% of the votes counted for the District 1 position. A
truth not lost on most people outside the good old boy network. The commissioner elect does NOT seem to have any kind of a mandate.
The direction this county takes in the next few years will be interesting. But will it be forward or backward? That remains to be seen.
