Editor's Note: As a continuing tribute to our beloved late columnist, Paul Kusuda, who passed November 2017, we are
re-posting his past columns, which are timeless, informative, and very educational. We will always miss Paul, our number
one supporter and adviser. Through his columns, we know that our readers would learn plenty about contemporary issues,
as well part of American history relating to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, and his personal
story.
re-posting his past columns, which are timeless, informative, and very educational. We will always miss Paul, our number
one supporter and adviser. Through his columns, we know that our readers would learn plenty about contemporary issues,
as well part of American history relating to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, and his personal
story.
Column of November 2008
Elections
Elections
Elections are so important to our way of government, and voter turnout is usually very small. Despite the fact that some election results are not
to my liking, I do not agree with those who say that the voting percentage is too low; that it should be much more than 50 percent — perhaps,
even 90 percent or more. That’s the way it is in some other country’s elections. Yeah, but how is that country governed?
I firmly believe that the United States has a form of government that enables its citizenry to change its direction, form, or style of governance
through peaceful means, that is, through elections; not through use of force, intimidation, or major uprising. I recognize that we do have
interferences to the fundamentals of that process (assassination, bribery, expensive advertising for or against a particular program), but we
endure despite such obstacles. Our government sometimes errs, but eventually, it seems to find its way and tries to remedy mistakes.
Amendment XIII (December 6, 1865) notes: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction …” Amendment XV (February 3, 1870):
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color,
or previous condition of servitude …” Amendment XIX (August 18, 1920): “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex …”
The above constitutional amendments corrected wrongs that had existed for too many years in the United States. Just think, 90 years ago,
women were not entitled to vote! Less than 140 years ago, the full right to vote could be withheld because of “… race, color, or previous
condition of servitude.” Such injustices should not have existed. They were corrected after much effort. Demonstrations were held. People
carried banners, shouted, button-holed legislators, and eventually succeeded in making change. It wasn’t easy. Amending the Constitution,
whether federal or state, is an extremely difficult process — but it’s democratic, and requires voting (in addition to many other activities). Key to
all is the vote. And key to the vote is an informed vote. Too often, votes result from minuscule information gained through slogans,
advertisements, and television or radio soundbites. What’s needed, of course, is thoughtfulness, study of issues, etc. How many of us vote
after thinking through issues and weighing what fallouts might be the result of our vote?
to my liking, I do not agree with those who say that the voting percentage is too low; that it should be much more than 50 percent — perhaps,
even 90 percent or more. That’s the way it is in some other country’s elections. Yeah, but how is that country governed?
I firmly believe that the United States has a form of government that enables its citizenry to change its direction, form, or style of governance
through peaceful means, that is, through elections; not through use of force, intimidation, or major uprising. I recognize that we do have
interferences to the fundamentals of that process (assassination, bribery, expensive advertising for or against a particular program), but we
endure despite such obstacles. Our government sometimes errs, but eventually, it seems to find its way and tries to remedy mistakes.
Amendment XIII (December 6, 1865) notes: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction …” Amendment XV (February 3, 1870):
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color,
or previous condition of servitude …” Amendment XIX (August 18, 1920): “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex …”
The above constitutional amendments corrected wrongs that had existed for too many years in the United States. Just think, 90 years ago,
women were not entitled to vote! Less than 140 years ago, the full right to vote could be withheld because of “… race, color, or previous
condition of servitude.” Such injustices should not have existed. They were corrected after much effort. Demonstrations were held. People
carried banners, shouted, button-holed legislators, and eventually succeeded in making change. It wasn’t easy. Amending the Constitution,
whether federal or state, is an extremely difficult process — but it’s democratic, and requires voting (in addition to many other activities). Key to
all is the vote. And key to the vote is an informed vote. Too often, votes result from minuscule information gained through slogans,
advertisements, and television or radio soundbites. What’s needed, of course, is thoughtfulness, study of issues, etc. How many of us vote
after thinking through issues and weighing what fallouts might be the result of our vote?
In Wisconsin, leaves have turned from green to red, orange, yellow, or brown and have fallen. For many of us,
that means a lot of work raking. As if mowing the lawn isn’t enough necessary exercise, leaf-raking is yet
another chore. As the years progress and I get older by the minute, I also lose strength and endurance while
gaining aches, pains, easy-tiredness, and grouchiness. However, I have to admit that beats the alternatives.
Most of the political palavering, promising, and posturing are past us finally. Some political decisions have
been made. Others may not ever be made, depending on various pressures put on legislators, local and
national.
that means a lot of work raking. As if mowing the lawn isn’t enough necessary exercise, leaf-raking is yet
another chore. As the years progress and I get older by the minute, I also lose strength and endurance while
gaining aches, pains, easy-tiredness, and grouchiness. However, I have to admit that beats the alternatives.
Most of the political palavering, promising, and posturing are past us finally. Some political decisions have
been made. Others may not ever be made, depending on various pressures put on legislators, local and
national.
Paul Kusuda