Editorial for April 17, 2008 edition:


Vote or shut up

At first glance, next Tuesday’s primary election is breathtaking on the national level and a snore on the local level, with most state legislative races uncontested.
It’s important for voters to get off their butts and vote in every race, including those that are uncontested, but Democrats who live in the 172nd Legislative District have a particularly interesting choice. Retired police officer Rich Costello and community activist Tim Kearney are fighting for the Democratic nod to face infamous Republican powerhouse John Perzel in the Nov. 4 general election.
Mr. Costello and Mr. Kearney are both pleasant fellows with good intentions, but boy are they different: Mr. Costello wants convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal to be executed, Mr. Kearney does not; Mr. Kearney wants to legalize marijuana and gay marriage, Mr. Costello does not. Voters should remember that on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, if registered voters go to the polls in numbers too big to ignore, Pennsylvania could play a decisive role in a presidential contest for the first time in 32 years. A massive turnout for Barack Obama could spell the end of Hillary Clinton’s presidential ambitions. A massive turnout for Mrs. Clinton could take the wind out of Mr. Obama’s sails, sending the hopes of his millions of Obamaniacs crashing to earth.
Either way, the general election is guaranteed to be historic: Americans will elect either the first black president or the first woman president, or they will tap the oldest person to ever be elected president. Next Tuesday, you can help contribute to that long process. If you don’t vote, don’t you dare complain about government ever again. ••

Respond to this editorial . . .

Click here for Letters to the Editor . . .