Biting Commentary

Your Vote Matters ... Even When it Doesn't

Originally Posted Sunday, 06 November 2016 at 10:56 AM
Updated Monday, 07 November 2016 at 04:43 PM

We've all listened to the pridefully disdainful news panel "talking heads" who have made clear that they are so disgusted with the U.S. Presidential race that they're not going to vote. Oh, they think themselves to be so intellectual and "cool," appealing to their equally cool and arrogant friends.

These shortsighted commentators have decided that their disgust is the only thing that matters, acting as if Tuesday's election is solely for President. Anyway, in their exalted opinions, if a voter lives in a state whose views and tendencies are known to be lopsided, one vote won't matter, so what's the use?

Well, you erudite "thinkers," your approach belittles democracy. There also are elections for Senators ... and Representatives ... and many local races ... and state amendments and propositions ... and local issues galore. Many times these elections turn on just a few votes, and occasionally -- admittedly, rarely -- on one vote.

So don't be taken in by these self-anointed "opinion leaders."

Your vote matters, even if they say it doesn't.

About The Author

Richard B. Barger, ABC, APR

Richard B. Barger, ABC, APR, is well-positioned as CornerBarPR's Chief Curmudgeon; he's our version of Andy Rooney -- loves words, particularly loves to complain about idiocy.

In his spare time, Rich runs the inventively named Barger Consulting, where he conducts strategic communications planning and research, and gives people advice whether they want it or not.

Through the years, Rich has tricked unsuspecting folks into giving him positions as managing editor of the public relations division of a 180-person agency, and as a wire service editor, an economic analyst, a federal investigator, and, bless his little muddy boots, a farmer. Really. He fancies himself a pretty fair country editor and at one time was famous among about half a dozen people as "The Voice of IABC."

At various points in what passes for a career, he's done time as a member of IABC, PRSA, and NSPRA, as well as the Gifted Association of Missouri, the University of Missouri Alumni Association, the Council of Better Business Bureaus (as a Senior Arbitrator), and a handful of church choirs.

Known as "Boom-Boom Barger" in Marching Mizzou, Rich refuses to answer the phone during University of Missouri football or basketball games, plays a hard-edged game of bridge, and is married to a woman he doesn't like to talk about much, because she's smarter and much nicer than he is.

Barger's motto: "Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once."