Vote Niche

One of the failings of our current political landscape isn’t the system, it’s the voters–and as a reflection–the candidates.

When discussing political candidates–especially on a national level–the pundits will comment that “Mr. Mendoza, of course, has locked up the Hispanic vote” or “Representative Jones has, of course, locked up the African American vote” or “Ms. O’Hara has, of course, locked up the women’s vote”.

Why “of course”? Why this assumption that a candidate has locked up and entire block of votes? Why this assumption that any group which is identified solely by ethnicity or gender will all vote the same way? Choose any group based solely on a physical or environmental characteristic, and you will find a spectrum of ideologies ranging from liberal to conservative, extreme to moderate. No group speaks with a single voice.

So why do the candidates speak to the groups rather than to the people? Because too many of us are ignoring our ideals and our ideologies and voting for the mirror. People mistake faces for favoritism. “The candidate <i>looks</i> like me, therefore the candidate must want the same things I do.” It’s a foolish and dangerous assumption.

It’s somewhat ironic that back in the days when all the candidates looked alike (wealthy white men), the voters took more time to investigate where the candidates stood and what they planned to do. Now, when the pool of candidates is finally starting to reflect the look and background of the electorate, those same voters are more concerned with the color of a candidate’s skin than what she has to say.

The next 9 months will be filled with campaigns and elections; caucuses and primaries; April elections and November elections; local, state, and national ballots to be cast. You’ll be deciding who gets to choose the textbooks for your 1st grade classes, and who gets to choose the justices for the Supreme Court. Choose them because you believe in them. Choose them because they will help you. Choose them because you see in them the promise of a better country for you, your neighbors, and your children.

Don’t choose them because they look like you. You may find out that the mirror is twisted.