Is there such a thing as too much love?
You could say so, judging by the creepy obsession states across the country hold towards their primary election activities.
You could say so, judging by the creepy obsession states across the country hold towards their primary election activities.
First, we see a full month shift in timelines for primaries when 22 states pushed their primaries from early-March “Super Tuesday” to “Super-Duper Tuesday” on February 5th.
Democrat parties in Michigan and Florida were slapped in the face when they got too close to the objects of their desires, reaching out a few weeks beyond the limits, and they're still going ahead with their mid-January primaries.
Meanwhile, Iowa puts on the overprotective boyfriend act, clinging so tightly to the one thing that makes its existence worthwhile.
Driving this surge for earlier dates is the need to feel important, in terms of economy and appearance, and it’s gotten to the point where it’s uncomfortable for me to watch.
The state has been the first to hold its caucuses since 1972, and both Iowa’s GOP and Democrat parties have bitterly clung to their first-in-the-nation spot, as exemplified this election season.
Giving Iowa the starting bell makes some sense: the state has a history of swinging between parties when it comes to the final election, and there’s a long-standing small town charm that Iowa conveys beautifully. When I think of Iowa, I imagine the grinning 61-year-old truck driver sipping on some coffee at an old-fashioned diner, his corn-loaded Semi sitting in the parking lot.
The state has been the first to hold its caucuses since 1972, and both Iowa’s GOP and Democrat parties have bitterly clung to their first-in-the-nation spot, as exemplified this election season.
Giving Iowa the starting bell makes some sense: the state has a history of swinging between parties when it comes to the final election, and there’s a long-standing small town charm that Iowa conveys beautifully. When I think of Iowa, I imagine the grinning 61-year-old truck driver sipping on some coffee at an old-fashioned diner, his corn-loaded Semi sitting in the parking lot.
But as All-American as that might be, it just doesn’t represent our country anymore.
Maybe Iowa has pulled an cultural update in recent years, but to me, the state will always be a part of “Corn Hole USA”, alongside Kansas and Nebraska. Upon hearing the name of these states, everyone living outside this trifecta is immediately filled with images of never-ending wheat fields and miniscule towns untouched by present-day society.
I’d say Iowa would like to escape that image; that’s why they so badly cling to these caucuses. Lord knows the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones won’t be bringing in a BCS National Championship anytime in the next three decades. Iowans need something to be proud of, I suppose.
I’d say Iowa would like to escape that image; that’s why they so badly cling to these caucuses. Lord knows the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones won’t be bringing in a BCS National Championship anytime in the next three decades. Iowans need something to be proud of, I suppose.
It seems to me, however, that its time to give other states a chance to hold the first presidental caucus. New Mexico would make a perfect candidate for the position, in my opinion.
Like Iowa, New Mexico has developed a reputation as a “middle-of-the-road” state when it comes to politics. They too are chock-full of small aimless town and old people. If that weren’t enough, remember that they are a border state, which just screams present-day relevance; 10% of the population is (probably) illegal immigrants!
It’s time for the torch to be passed. Someone else deserves that attention, and the American public ought to have a more diverse representation in their early election activities.
Like Iowa, New Mexico has developed a reputation as a “middle-of-the-road” state when it comes to politics. They too are chock-full of small aimless town and old people. If that weren’t enough, remember that they are a border state, which just screams present-day relevance; 10% of the population is (probably) illegal immigrants!
It’s time for the torch to be passed. Someone else deserves that attention, and the American public ought to have a more diverse representation in their early election activities.
Iowa can do without this extra attention for a decade or so. I mean, they are fairly well off with their agricultural exports. New Mexico, meanwhile, needs all of the national attention they can get. Financial experts there are still trying to make the state’s top export, dirt, marketable. An early January caucus would get that ball rolling.
-E.M.
No comments:
Post a Comment