JEFF GAUGER
Some 136.8 million Americans cast ballots for president in 2016, or just over 59.1% of eligible voters.
Given the tenor of our national politics today - anger, rage and even shooting - you'd think more folks would vote. Consider:
Do you send emails to friends and relatives with links to commentary about the candidates and the election, but don't intend to vote? Then you're a hypocrite.
Do you listen to hours each week of demagogues posing as cable-TV hosts, nodding or cringing as their bilge merits, but don't intend to vote? Then you're a hypocrite.
Do you post links, memes, personal reflections or diatribes about the election to Facebook, but don't intend to vote? Then you're a hypocrite.
Do you harrumph at yard signs touting either Biden/Harris or Trump/Pence, but don't intend to vote? Then you're a hypocrite.
Do you see campaign bumper stickers and mentally label fellow motorists idiots, but don't intend to vote? Then you're a hypocrite.
Did you watch either party's national nominating convention and cheer or sulk, but don't intend to vote? Then you're a hypocrite.
Don't be.
Jeff Gauger is a former executive editor of The Shreveport Times who now teaches journalism at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Send comments, anecdotes, suggestions and brickbats to jeff.gaugerO8@gmail.com.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE September 4 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.