The Greensboro News & Record notes that our political duopoly is failing to actually do the people’s business. Instead the Republicrats tend to split up the political power and spoils and not actually engage each other, especially in statewide legislative races:
Altogether, in 86 of 170 districts, one party chose not to compete.
In recent elections, the Libertarian Party could be counted on to produce a few challengers who, if they couldn’t actually win, at least could give voters the option of voting against an incumbent. Not anymore. North Carolina no longer recognizes the Libertarian or any other minor party. Its election laws make it extremely difficult for anyone else to join Democrats and Republicans on the ballot.
This all happens by design. Democrats and Republicans in the legislature draw their own districts to minimize points of conflict. They apportion some with strong majorities of Democratic voters and some with strong majorities of Republican voters. Few districts are left where candidates of either party have a fair chance of success.
A big reason for this is money. The parties can pour most of their resources into the few contests where money might make a difference. If the two parties allowed more competitive contests, they might bankrupt themselves.
Some voters would say fine. Who wants to see legislators raising more money from special-interest groups so they can buy more campaign ads? Besides, most voters usually get what they want: a representative of their own party. They’re fairly happy with him or her, even if he or she was the only choice they had.
But lack of choice is a problem. A candidate who doesn’t have to compete against anyone to keep his or her seat is likely to take the voters for granted, or to be more influenced by special interests than by the people at home.
Lack of competition is also a problem at the local level too, as we’ll see tonite when an utterly safe and smug city council votes to give NASCAR a $122 million welfare payment.
Then, in a few weeks hence, the same crew will be back braying for a tax hike for Charlotte in order to pay for basic city functions likes roads and public safety. Shameless.
