In his guest column, “Little Boxes and modern politics,” writer Jonathan Kahane, as he usually does, adds some humor when addressing an issue. In this instance, his frustration with local officials not taking responsibility and just passing the buck. While that can sometimes be the case, Mr. Kahane’s broad stroke depiction of those in government sends a cynical and dangerous message, especially on the eve of the midterm elections. His closing paragraph take off on Malvina Reynold’s “Little Boxes”: “… Politics all the same. There are Democrats, and Republicans, and Independents, and Conservatives, and they’re all made out of ticky tacky and they all act just the same,” only serves to create a false equivalency narrative that leads one to believe it is a waste of time to vote.
Does anyone think there is no difference between a Mike Johnson and a Nancy Pelosi; a Ted Cruz and a Bob Dole; a Pete Hegseth and a George C. Marshall; a Tod Blanche and a Bobby Kennedy; a Greg Abbot and a Mario Cuomo; or a Donald Trump and any previous president? Who is the more ethical and effective negotiator, Kushner or Kerry? Do the voters in Ohio have no clear choice between Ramaswamy and Dr. Acton? They are not all the same!
We are currently living under a regime unprecedented in its corruption, mendacity, and cruelty — no time to give in and think there is nothing better. Citizens need to vote early or show up at the polls, en masse, and make wise decisions in selecting our next leaders.
Gerard Simonette
Northampton