apak@oddjob.UUCP (Adrian Kent) (03/21/86)
saw a demonstration by a small group of LaRouche Democrats on the U. Chicago
campus. They were denouncing a professor in the divinity school for his
alleged involvement in witchcraft and child-sacrifice, and calling for him
to be burnt. That was frightening enough; I can't think of another Western
nation where something like this would happen. Worse followed. The primary
election results came out next day. Two members of this organisation won
the Democratic nominations for Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State of
Illinois. Each got over 50% of the vote, and over 300,000 votes.
I can't emphasise strongly enough that the LaRouche organisation is both
crazy and evil; I have no doubt that the people I saw on Tuesday would have
burnt their target given half a chance. So what can I conclude from the events
of this week?
either: there's widespread support in Illinois for this venomous bunch of
would-be murderers
or: (much more probable but not much less frightening) such a small proportion
of voters knew *anything* about the candidates in these elections that the
outcome was entirely random. In other words, democracy completely and utterly
failed.
Suppose the latter's true. Is it an isolated, freak incident? I would
argue not. I am constantly appalled by the almost complete lack of serious
debate about national (let alone local) issues in America. Without
information, the right to vote is useless. To a first approximation, that's
the situation here. How can you stand it?
(The perceptive reader will have noticed that I am not American. But I
am writing with affection for the democratic ideals your leaders profess,
and for my many American friends and colleagues.)