Austin Bay Blog

Well, she has gone Kinky –Kinky Friedman, that is. SIx weeks ago one of my neighbors out here in the hills told me by darn, she was going to vote for Kinky Friedman for governor of Texas. I told her to write up a post and tell me why.

Here is my dear neighbor’s pre-election opus. Take note. What she says reflects the thoughts of a large segment of the electorate, including folks who will vote for the Democrat or the Republican in the race.

Why I Could Go Kinky

One voice from the hoi-polloi
 Ten days before the election, Governor Perry arrogantly tells reporters that when it comes down to it, the statistics have him in the lead that disenchanted Republicans will return to the fold and vote his ticket because they stay with what they know, and ostensibly, so will the Democrats:

Yeah, there are some Republicans out there that are upset about Congress; they’re upset maybe with the Texas Legislature, they haven’t done things exactly how they would have done them…But…they’re not going to cast their vote for an alternative that is substantially left of where they are. You will have the Democratic base by and large come back and vote for Chris.  The Republican voters will come back and vote for me.

                                     —Gov. Rick Perry in interview with W. Gardner Selby
 

I laughed out loud recently as this bumper sticker caught my eye:  “Under Republicans, man exploits man. Under Democrats, it’s just the opposite.” These words and the blunt assumptions of Rick Perry truly represent the sad assessment of politics in our country and state, it seems, and sum up my own cynical and sardonic view of the system. For that reason, I’m undecided about which Texas gubernatorial candidate for whom to vote and I can tell you why. I’ll be as blunt as the Governor at our options.

The political party “bait and switch” routines are tiring. Look at what they put voters through: we have to consider professional politicians offering changes and solutions for votes on one hand then serving on the other hand the same ineffective actions in government like his/her predecessors. This pattern of Texas politics makes voters appear to be either fools or lemmings.  Our vote is supposed to be a voice that matters, one that sends a message, that makes the leaders in legislatures pay attention to the public’s desires and affect solutions to the list of our needs and concerns. Winning a governmental election falls under the misconception of public service; elections are now popularity contests of the best-spun candidate. An election win is not a victory for the populace; it’s power positioning for the more convincing, media-manipulating status quo.

Perry may be right. After all the saber-rattling here in Texas with not one, but two independent candidates versus the traditional parties, the pundits still predict the race will be between the Republican and Democratic candidates with most bets placed on Perry’s victory. It seems that even if our Ken-doll governor chooses a makeover to look like Barbie, he is in place to be re-elected.  So why bother to vote at all?

I do not advocate non-voting.  If I’m rabid about anything in the election process, it’s voting.  Perhaps it’s because I believe so much in the process, or appreciate the significance of not having the right to do so.  I think I primarily feel this way because I can’t keep my opinions to myself about politics, politicians, and how the world coulda/shoulda/woulda be better.  So if I vote, I feel okay speaking my mind; either my candidate wins or loses, but at least my effort to cast a vote sanctifies my right to say what’s on my mind about the issues, crank that I might become or not.

But I do recognize the right to not vote; I even empathize with the person who is too frustrated, angry, and confused to vote. It is easy to understand the apathy if you look at the circus that surrounds an election: the issues and non-issues that sway the electorates, the shallowness of candidates as leaders and their effectiveness in those positions, the process for change in which all change really remains the same. The simple voter feels powerless and manipulated; it is difficult to motivate oneself when there is no substantive reward for positive behavior.

The ballot should have a final spot to check for “none of the above” so we voters could send the lawmakers and candidates back to the drawing boards if that “none” box won the majority vote. Eventually, there would be a combination of leaders, entourage and bureaucracy that satisfied us, the hoi polloi, in terms of action and effect. But such an idea throws a big kink in the gears of running the political machine with its big show and illusions.  Plus, we would need changes in the system now, which is another discussion in a different essay.  Maybe a vote for Friedman becomes a statement vote. He may not win, but perhaps the re-upped governor and the legislature will pay attention to the sentiment behind independent votes. In my dreams….

So I consider pushing the button for Kinky.  He may be a “none of the above” vote. If I want to vote against the incumbent and can’t find an emotional or rational connection to the dreary Democratic choice, voting for the independent, outsider is wiser. But Kinky symbolizes more than a “neither” to me. Some change might happen with him at the helm.

Our government will continue to operate and a new “boss” wields a certain amount of power.  He will bring a new perspective and a different agenda to the legislature. His undeniable aptitude is seen in his wit; that kind of insight can be his management foundation. As Eisenhower said: A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done. Throughout his effort to run for Governor, Friedman maintains that sense of humor and a Keatsian “disinterestedness” in the gambits played. If elected, he will do the job at least as well as any other candidate—and he makes no promises to the contrary.
 

 I don’t deny that he represents some rebellion on my part, a lot of independence in thinking, speaking, choice, and freewill; all qualities that symbolize what being a Texan is to me, all qualities that a democracy and being an American are to me. As cliché as it might he symbolizes what the foundation of our country and our government mean to me.

In the end, this symbolism is what influences how I might vote.  Yeah, it isn’t rational, logical, or wise if I want my side to win or affect at least a name and face change.  But I see the world changing—globally, nationally, and locally—in ways that are out of anyone’s control.  Bigger forces—natural, geophysical, religious, political—overwhelm how we all live daily.  To maintain some control and cast a “no” vote, which says, “stop” or “do it differently” is an empowerment to each of us.  It is a simple action that reflects purpose and meaning.

In a less reflective sense, I think this reasoning for a vote in Kinky’s tank is as good as any. I have a friend who tells me he’s voting for Perry in the Texas gubernatorial race.  I asked him why, and since he’s a staunch Republican, I expect to hear some detailed explanation of how misunderstood Perry is as a bi-partisan and savvy leader.  Instead, my friend tells me they have the same barber and have had great conversations about hair. He feels like he “knows” him and can consider Perry as a friend now.

He has a sense of humor about this ridiculousness, understands there is an unconscious desire to share a star’s power; the currying of one’s favor empowers the admirer, a bit of the shine might fall my friend’s way. His vote—this important decision that I fret over—is what my savvy associates in Hollywood call “Star-f…ing.” But then, at this point, my friend can feel cavalier about the decision because it’s the safe one.

I can identify with Friedman; Kinky is independent and speaks his mind.  He thinks outside of the envelope for solutions and ideas.  He’s a musician, a writer and poet, Jewish, and smokes cigars. We have similar hair, interests, and great senses of humor.  He might just do the job like I would, and really shake up Texas government, to paraphrase the quip of another opponent.  For me, that is an empowerment to dream on.