Down Ballot

While presidential elections catch the bright light and most of the press, down ballot races over the course of four years realistically, may have more affect over our day-to-day lives. Back in the 70’s, a Scottish environmentalist coined the phrase “think global, act local”. If you think about it, excluding income tax brackets, tariffs involving consumer goods and federal regulations on energy production, our cost of living and quality of life is in the hands of state and local government. Traditionally in a national election, there is a “Down Ballot” effect, a presidential win by either party will trigger a “Red Wave” or a “Blue Wave”. Changes in the majority control of the House and Senate are not uncommon and races for Governor will generally follow the same pattern. It’s not unknown for the same effect to trickle all the way down to local elections. The more contentious the presidential election, the farther the “Down Ballot” effect travels. A Trump vs Biden rematch will look like a Del Rio dogfight, a nasty race with no middle ground. Biden and Trump hate each other, and their core supporters hate each other even more. So, where does this election go? Imagine Biden with a democratic house and senate, you can kiss those AR15’s, gas guzzlers and gas stoves goodbye. The excessive spending, extended social programs and inclusive government that’s been a sad comedy of check lists of what color of skin someone is, which pronoun they used, and which bathroom they urinated in will remain the order of the day. Under Trump the extended social programs and inclusive government will be a thing of the past. Life would be far easier- swear an oath to Trump, signed in blood, publicly announce the prior election was stolen, January 6th was a patriotic event, and ignore his 81 felony indictments-piece of cake for republican voters, it’s like they say about dog breath, it’s better than no breath at all… In November, they’re going to give you a ballot, read the whole thing down to the bottom before you start putting X’s in. Governors, Mayors, and County Board Commissioners have a lot of control over our money, our taxes and our quality of life, Valerie Jarrett once said, “…elections have consequences…”