Readers React: As California goes on politics, the nation doesn’t

To the editor: It would not seem noteworthy from any broader national perspective, yet California sailed through the recent election as though it never happened. Democrats were reelected, progressive issues were reaffirmed, and the one-party system that prevails in this state was all but given another nudge toward ho-hum totality. (“California election results defy national trends -- mostly,” Nov. 5)

It’s not as if Californians don’t care. But if from the West Coast perspective whatever is happening in Washington is being viewed as a titanic tragicomedy, then 55 electoral votes, 38 million people and the eighth largest economy in the world are collectively weighing in with a very large cringe.

It may be possible that at some time in the future, the view from the West Coast might begin to carry some weight — and that the political megadrama and bonebrain gridlock on the flip side of our country’s psyche might begin to yield to a genuine national spirit.

Bruce Wallace, Corona

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To the editor: How pathetic is it that about one-fourth of L.A. County voters bothered to cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election? Since 1972, I have never missed the chance to exercise my constitutional right to vote in elections.

Coupled with the recent survey showing that only 36% of Americans can name all three branches of government, Americans’ failure to engage in our representative democracy bodes ill for the future. Maybe it’s no coincidence that the new “Dumb and Dumber” movie comes out soon.

Bob Ladendorf, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Everyone knows that Democrats have a tougher time than Republicans getting their core supporters to show up at the polls, particularly in midterm elections. There may be many reasons for that, but principal among them is that Republicans do a better job giving their supporters a reason to vote for them.

In this election, many Democrats ran as though they were ashamed of their party and their president. It’s not enough to talk about how bad the other guy is; Democrats have got to stop apologizing for being Democrats and stand up for traditional progressive values.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, hopefully, was paying close attention to this election. Just six short years ago, a largely untested African American beat a war hero with cross-party appeal by nearly 10 million votes by inspiring Democrats and independents with a truly progressive message. Either Clinton will follow suit (and drop the famous Clinton urge for “triangulation” in the process) or Democratic voters will again stay home and she will lose. It’s that simple.

Jim McFaul, Carpinteria

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To the editor: The real losers in this election were the thousands of men and women who gave up their lives to protect our right to vote.

Every time you see a veteran with disabling injuries or hear of one who is unable to cope with life or living in a homeless shelter, you should hang your head in shame. These people didn’t give up everything so you couldn’t find time to get off your couch and cast your vote.

Who are the winners? They are the ones who paid to buy the politicians, write the laws and fail to answer to the American people. The corporations that give unlimited financing to the politicians won, not “we the people” who fail to exercise our right to vote.

When you hang your heads, you won’t be alone. Three out of four people in Los Angeles County will be just like you.

Frank Holmes, Torrance

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