What is a bandwagon?
As we do so often these days, I took the question to “Mr./Ms. Google Search.” Because most of us view Merriam-Webster as a reliable dictionary, I picked that response.
Merriam-Webster says that a “bandwagon” is: 1) a usually ornate and high wagon for a band of musicians, especially in a circus parade, 2) a popular party, faction, or cause that attracts growing support —often used in such phrases as jump on the bandwagon, or 3) a popular activity, effort, cause, etc., that attracts growing support.
Honestly, I could see any or all of the Merriam-Webster elements defining a political campaign and/or a political party. I’m not saying this is good or bad. I’ll let you pick one for yourself.
Ok, why did I just type all of that?
Well, in a campaign of any kind (anywhere) the people who own the bandwagon want you to get on theirs. In a political campaign for elective office, this means that they want you to vote for them — while you’re on the bandwagon. Their ultimate goal would be to get everyone on their bandwagon, and keep them there. Of course, in reality there are other bandwagons, and people get on all of them.
Well, not everyone actually. In America, we have two major parties. While, a lot of people get on those wagons, there’s another group called “independents.” They don’t get on anyone’s wagon. Or, if they do, they switch back and forth frequently. Quite often they cast their votes while not on anyone's bandwagon, but while they are standing on solid ground. They can teach us something!
Here’s part of the lesson. Voting Alert Beacon #7 - In Secret, tells us to keep our vote(s) a secret. In effect, it says, “Ride a bandwagon if you want, but get off the wagon to cast your vote.” In a perfect world, the bandwagons might carry the information and messaging, but we would all get off the wagon to vote while standing on solid ground like the independents always have. Alas, many people vote while they are standing on someone’s wagon, and they declare (brag) what they’ve done to pollsters.
DO THIS: All of us always need to vote, and thusly exercise/preserve our RIGHT TO VOTE, but within the right, there’s something else. We need to vote independently. Independent in the sense of using our own mind (thoughts) and heart (conscience) to decide. It is this independence that gives our vote the POWER it is capable of generating.
VOTE IN SECRET! TELL NO ONE!
Honesty and public service are the gears that drive our democracy, and we turn those gears with our RIGHT TO VOTE. LET’S ALL VOTE!
. . . remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her. America’s best days are ahead of her. They always have been and always will be.
Dave
Copyright © 2015 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.