It’s not everybody — in fact hardly anybody — who gets to vote for their board of directors and the CEO too.

The good news, for federal and postal workers, military personnel and retirees, is that the board consists of 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 senators. So the average voter gets to vote for his or her representative every two years, and for one of his or her senators every two, four or six years. The President has a four-year term and is limited to two terms (except until recently in Burkina Faso!).

While federal and military personnel and their families represent a huge diverse, widespread bloc, there is no reason to believe they all vote the same way. Definitely not for the same candidates. Politicians of late — both Democrats and Republicans — have seen federal workers (their pay and benefits) more as targets than constituents.

Members of the federal military family are also vastly outnumbered by the 24 million registered voters whom, experts say are “invalid or inaccurate”. That includes an estimated 1.8 million deceased persons who, according to the Pew Center for The States, are still registered to vote. And in some cases will likely vote today.

The Washington Post reported charges by a conservative group that 44,000 people had — or could — vote in Maryland AND Virginia.

The good news, bad news is that with all that is at stake (including 36 governorships) its estimated that only four of every 10 voters will vote. That’s bad if you think democracy should include everybody, good if you don’t want the tuned-out voting.

The bottom line for members of the federal family is that this is a big day. Although more than 80 percent of incumbent House members will be returned, thanks to rigged (i.e. gerrymandered districts) you can send them a message. One vote at a time.

Remember the Hatch Act. If you have to ask if a planned action is wrong, or illegal, it may very well be wrong or illegal. Vote — one time please — but get it done.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID:

By Michael O’Connell

The Republic of Upper Volta in Africa changed its name on Aug. 4, 1984, to “Burkina Faso,” which means “the country of honorable people.”

Source: Wikipedia

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