A major theme this election year has been dissatisfaction with incumbent candidates, and frustration with the gridlock on both the national and state levels. The more cynical citizens among us may view this year as a promise for more of the same. Many look towards November pessimistically, certain that the status quo will continue regardless of election results.
But that outlook ignores the fact that 2016 has already produced a string of events that have rocked the status quo right off its staid foundations.
Bernie Sander’s run at the Democratic nomination ignited political passion in all segments of American society, especially among young voters, and became a legitimate threat to the nomination of Hillary Clinton. Sanders has now turned his clout into direct influence on the Democratic platform, and the result, Sanders said, is “the most progressive platform in the history of our party” – a far cry from the pessimist’s expected status quo.
Donald Trump, of course, turned the Republican nomination process on its head, effectively dispensing with the traditional steps of political ascension. With his running mate yet to be declared and the GOP national convention about to convene, there are no signs that the status quo on the Republican side is done tumbling yet.
While traditionalists of all stripes view these developments with alarm, they may just be – despite the drama – healthy signs of democracy in action. Because at the heart of the surprises are people speaking up, and voting, for new ideas. Testing those ideas at the ballot box is the heart of our democracy.
In Colorado, a healthy slate of ballot initiatives – all of them asking for voter support for new approaches to solving problems – will appear on the November ballot. They deal with powers of local government, restrictions on hydraulic fracking, amending the state Constitution, primary elections, medical aid in dying, raising the minimum wage, retaining state revenue and curbing tobacco use. They may not all make it; proponents for an initiative must collect 98,492 valid signatures by Aug. 8 to make the ballot. But the majority, perhaps all of them, likely will appear. Only one initiative, which would create a single-payer health care system in the state, is on the ballot at this time.
The point is this: Regardless of our perception of the political status quo, and our reactions to recent developments on the national scene, we owe it to ourselves to ignore the cynicism and consider these initiatives carefully, especially after the Aug. 8 signature deadline determines the final list for the ballot.
Take time this summer to consider them, visit their associated websites, both pro and con, and volunteer to get involved if you feel passionately about a particular issue. Do this now, before the campaign dollars behind proponents and opponents turn up the volume, and probably the level of confusion, with flurries of advertisements come fall.
The best way to counter the cynics, and dispose of the notion of the “status quo,” is to remember that it is our privilege – and our duty – to be informed and decide if a ballot initiative deserves support or rejection at the ballot box with a vote.
