Political Padawans

The Gantt Report

By Lucius Gantt

Recently, a good friend of mine informed me that they intend to be a gubernatorial candidate in a large and important state.

The political revelation made me happy and excited. I was glad because few candidates realize that now is a good time to start to test the waters and prepare for an election in 2024.

There are two “major” political parties in the United States and right now, many voters are disenchanted with both groups.

2024 will be a perfect year to run for office as an “Independent”, or a candidate with no political affiliation.

However, every candidate seeking a winning number of votes in a capitalist political system must have an appropriate amount of money and voter support to be considered a serious candidate.

To dream about winning a statewide election in any state you’ll also have to dream about generating a multi-million-dollar campaign bankroll.

All of America’s legitimate candidates for statewide and national offices probably have “Super Political Action Committees” that raise tons of money by getting huge donations from wealthy individuals and corporations, both foreign and domestic.

Donors could give money directly to a candidate’s political campaign, but direct donations must be reported while PAC expenditures and contributions can be hidden.

Anyway, I know many Gantt Report readers don’t want to read about political operations sometimes, but I think political knowledge and wisdom are important.

When I wrote about “Satans in the States” years ago, people kind of dismissed it but now voters are crying crocodile tears about how state legislators are passing bills to ban abortions, ban books, gerrymander elections, deny voting rights, oppose diversity and inclusion in education, close U.S. borders to non-white immigrants, and so forth. Some state politicians think it’s a great idea to fight Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

Elections are important even when you vote for the lesser of two evils.

Yes, political independents should garner more votes in 2024 than the political crooks think.

Both Republicans and Democrats have flawed campaign strategies and undesirable political proposals.

Republicans think they can win by pleasing nationalists, supremacists, insurrectionists, and right-wing evangelicals that are focused on discussing previously lost elections.

Democrats think they can win by depending on losing consultants that prefer 1950 political strategies over the highly scientific and technological campaigns of today.

I just think voters want politicians that will put the voters first. If you think you’re “first”, try to get a meeting with your elected officials. Get a response to your phone calls and emails.

More importantly, try to get your elected official to file a piece of legislation that you and your community supports.

We don’t pray for perfect elected officials, but we do want our representatives to be more perfect than imperfect!

Independents, go for it!

The people want public servants, not political padawans.