So... I am lying on my bed in a chemo induced haze. The TV is murmuring softly at the foot of my bed to distract me from my discomfort. And, then I hear it again. From Morning Joe to Martin Bashir, the imbeciles elected to Congress by the brain dead Republicans line up to proclaim, yet again, that their insane economic policies are a direct outgrowth of their "mandate" from the voters in 2010.
I can't stand it for one more minute!
I drag myself to my computer and in 30 seconds I uncover the facts. Voter turn out, by state, published by Dr. Michael McDonald at George Mason University. Look at the chart at the bottom of the page.
The turn out nationally was below 41%. Only eight states had a total turnout of 50%, or slightly better, and the turn out by Voting Age Populations exceeded 50% in only 3 states.
Examining the chart shows that the "mandate" the Republicans claim with such abandon was awarded by, at best, between 16% and 27% of the voting age population in each state, assuming an even split in party affiliation, and, between 28.9% and 53.9% (in 3 states) assuming Republicans were the only folks casting votes.
Since elections tend to be more evenly split, even in heavily Red states, with Democrats casting a least 30% of the votes, I am left with only two questions.
Where's the Damned Mandate for the fiscal insanity being paraded as demanded by the American people?
And, why the hell was the turn out so low?
It seems to me that we must keep on pointing out, at every opportunity that only 41% of the people voted, producing an average of 20.5% (plus one) that put these idiots into office. And, if anyone has any doubt about the importance of mid-term elections, they need to be knocked up the side of the head, shortly after cramming these figures down their throat.
Now...back to my drug induced haze.
