Election season is up and running in the US, so I’d like to introduce you to Edie Montreux who has her own blog called Going Quite Mad. Today she is my guest blogger and she has her own views on the way things should be done.
Iowa Stubborn vs. Iowa Nice
It’s 7 p.m. on February 1, 2016. Just another weeknight after a long Monday in every sense of the word. It’s time to relax, have dinner, have a beer, and watch some Netflix (and chill, if you’re lucky).
Instead, the state of Iowa expects me to do my civic duty and caucus.
First, I’m an introvert. The idea of arguing over who is better, Bernie Sanders or Hilary Clinton, makes me want to hide under my bed.
Second, there’s this song about Iowans, called, “Iowa Stubborn,” from The Music Man. Meredith Wilson didn’t give us that nickname because we’re pushovers. We Iowans have many opinions, ranging from brilliant to competing with amoebas for the dumbest creature in the food chain. There’s also this thing called, “Iowa Nice,” but I have a hard time being nice to stupid, which this caucus would force me to do.
Third, caucusing seems ridiculous for the first vote to decide our top candidates for President of the United States. It’s bullying. It’s about who can yell the loudest the longest, and talk people who haven’t done their research into picking a different candidate. It’s not what we stand for here in Iowa.
As an alternative, I would like to see Iowa implement an app for caucus. Everyone registers a phone number with voter registration. Democrats get to vote on their candidates, and Republicans get to vote for theirs. Everyone who wants to vote logs on at 7 p.m. and casts a vote. At 7:05, the votes are tallied, and anyone who voted for someone with less than 15% of the votes has to vote again, this time for a narrower candidate pool. No bullying. No tag, you’re not it. Simple. Quiet. Fast and easy.
It’s time for a better way, Iowa. Instead of following antiquated traditions, we should show that we’re ready for the 21st century. Until then, I’m going to be both stubborn and nice, and stay home.
kevin klehr - author 