AL Political Reporter: “A few days ago, a national poll found that Alabama was one of the least politically engaged states in the country. Our recent voter turnout numbers of less than 40 percent – for a much-hyped midterm, no less – backed up that polling.
There are many reasons for the state’s lack of interest in basic political issues – everything from gerrymandering removing all mystery to a concerted effort to make the political process as mysterious and uninviting as possible by our state leaders.
But no matter the cause, the result is the same: the little guy gets screwed.
Over and over and over again.
While most Alabama voters couldn’t name their state rep or half of their city council, they continue to pay a hefty price for that lack of engagement. Just ask the poor folks in Valley. Or the poor folks in Brookside. Or the poor folks in Montgomery a few years ago.
You know what … just pick a town in Alabama and you can bet your last dollar that the poor folks in it are getting absolutely hosed.
Because while the small percentage of people in this state who are paying attention to political issues are being pushed towards national discussions about border walls and gas prices and defense funding, over at your town’s city hall, the actual issues that affect your life – that cost you real money – are being decided by a group of people who you largely don’t know.”