2024 elections are controlled by extremists

On Sept. 18, 1787, the last day of the U.S. constitutional convention, James McHenry, a Maryland delegate, asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin’s reply, “a republic, if you can keep it,” is profound because for America to survive it depends upon its citizens to become actively involved in the selection of its elected delegates.

Pew Research Center reports America’s voting turnout ranks an “underwhelming” 31st out of 50 countries who exhibit solid democratic traditions. While the 2020 presidential election had the highest voter turnout of the 21st century (66.7%).

In the past six general elections (2000-2020), the average turnout rate of registered voters for primary elections was 27%. The average turnout rate for general elections was slightly over 60%. This means more than half (55%) of general election voters did not vote in primary elections. For midterm primary elections, it’s worse.

Low voter participation in caucus-primary elections means that a smaller subset of voters — most likely from the far left wing and far right-wing — hoodwinked by candidate disinformation, misinformation, far-fetched promises, propaganda and/or sinister political agendas may be playing an over proportionate role in determining the final candidates.

• A minority of the minority is selecting our political candidates.

Let’s face it. We may be electing self-centered, party-before-the-people and politicians loyal to their donors simply because we’re not active in all elections. We only have ourselves to blame if we’re represented by less-than-desirable, narcissistic, divisive, rude, opponent bashing, retribution-oriented, racist, anti-bipartisan, anti-trade, anti-democracy, anti-constitution and pro-authoritarian delegates.

Let’s review a couple caucus-primary election examples:

Joe Biden ran for president three times and didn’t win his first presidential primary until Feb. 29, 2020 when he defeated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in South Carolina. Biden was one of 22 candidates and has been a politician since 1971. Donald Trump, who has changed party affiliation five times, was a presidential candidate in 2000 with the Reform Party. A 2020 study (Journal of Politics) revealed voters had the most difficulty assessing the ideology of Trump in 2016.

Was Biden and/or Trump the best candidate for their respective party or the winner only because a small subset of rabid fanatical Democrats or rabid extremist Republicans voted, while the majority of D and R voters didn’t participate?

• Americans aren’t taking the caucus-primary and general election process seriously.

What can you do to help America remain a democracy and select the best candidates? Be proactive. Go to www.270towin.com’s “2024 presidential election calendar” to find out the precise date of your caucus-primary election and vote.

The first of 15 caucus and 53 primary elections begins on Jan. 15. Heed the words of Thomas Jefferson: “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” Be in the majority by voting.

Steve Corbin is professor emeritus of marketing at the University of Northern Iowa.