If you haven’t seen this bit from John Oliver’s new show, you should. You should watch it before Tuesday’s election, and then again periodically, just so you remember what I keep telling you. That elections matter. And that it is important to pay attention to not just Federal elections, but to the ones lower down the food chain.
Apparently it takes someone from England, from the country from which we declared our independence, to explain to us just how we are letting our own government get away from us.
Because we don’t pay attention to “the unimportant levels of government.”
Ummm, it is at the state level that we’re really getting screwed. I can attest to this as a resident of “Virginia is For Ultra-sounds.” Yup, it is the folks whose names we don’t even know, who get to decide these issues that most impact your life and mine.
They are also the ones gerrymandering the US Congressional districts. They are eliminating access to abortion, to birth control and screwing us in a hundred different ways. And the state legislatures are the breeding ground, where the Not Ready For Prime Time Players go until they become the Michelle Bachmann’s and the Louie Gomert’s who end up framing our national debate.
[I read recently that John Oliver has been proclaimed the best journalist currently working. I don’t recall who said it, but I think they are right.]
FiftyFourandAHalf 
I haven’t watched the clip yet, but I will. It’s kind of amazing how few people I know actually voted yesterday. And it shows, because all the same stupid people are back in office.
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Yes, it shows — and not nicely. We have many of the same stupid people back in office, and many even stupider ones newly enthroned. Such a sickening outcome. It was the over 65s who chose this for us all. Not really a demographic looking to much of a future.
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Reblogged this on Dear Diary and commented:
Elyse at https://fiftyfourandahalf.com/ posted this, it’s not too late to vote!
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Thanks, Mary! It’s a great clip and an important lesson!
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Here in Oregon there’s a measure on the ballot that would require genetically modified organisms (foods) to be labeled so that consumers could know what they are eating. I hope it passes. There was a LOT of money spent on ads that were against it, big agro-businesses and lobbyists are behind them I’m sure.
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I am not worried at all about these foods, I think that they should be labeled. Knowledge of what we’re eating is very important.
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John Oliver is the man. I love watching his show.
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Me too!
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You’re so right. What happens at the local level is what drives our everyday lives. But I don’t want anybody “getting out the vote,” frankly. I wish only people who cared, who actually take the time to do some homework on the issues would vote.
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That is a terrible shame, ghough. Because the folks who DO pay attention are sticking us with folks who don’t vote the way the majority of people in there states believe. That is what is getting our government so damn polarized. Fanatics, and there are more and more of them, never compromise. And comprlmise is the key to getting stuff done.
So i guess we just need more people to jnderstand the value. (Fat chaance, though)
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Today’s the day. I’ve had little sleep thanks to a late arrival home last night, but I’ll be voting nonetheless. If I’m lucky, the center where I vote (a nursing home) will have their usual Election Day bake sale. I can munch on pumpkin bread while I wait in line…
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That sounds perfect!
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John Oliver is great. This video is great. Why, then, am I so very heart sick? Oh, I know why. I’m an American who cares what happens. 😦
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Yeah, me too.
I thought of your comment on a previous post as i wrote this, Lorna. It is such a sad state of the stste …
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Ohio has all state offices up, but only one may lose … and given the GOP controlled legislature, Ohio will be a news headline in the next four years. 😦
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Yes, Ohio is always in the news every couple of years … Who knew thst secretary of state of a stste would end up being such an important position! Oy.
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Well, I’m crossing my fingers for some rational thought and participation in the mid-terms. We currently have neither of either in our political process here just north of the border. But I always have hope!
John Oliver is flippin hilarious, and bang-on so often. Ever watch Community? That’s where I first saw him, he was amazing as the drunken brit prof – disappeared for a few seasons, but then came back. He’s awesome!
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Yes! He was hysterical on Community too.
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Yeahh…. a Community fan! Six seasons and a movie, yo!
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I’ve been on the road today no my phone is messing with my comments. Sorry you had to wait all day for my words (hope you’re not too blue from lack of oxygen).
Thanks for sending good vibes our way, Trend. We need them.
And I’d never heard of Community — the response that got eaten said I would check and see if Netflix has it – now I will actually go look! I’d never heard of it. But recommendations from you and Darla is all I need!
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I always enjoy your responses… election day seemed kind of blah and yuck. Oh well.
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I’d take blah and yuck over the results we got. Sigh.
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Ahhhh. It’s not! Now I will have to really look for it …
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Oh no! It’s on Netflix in Canada… that show is priceless, absolutely priceless.
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I’ll keep looking. YouTube???
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Just trailers from what I can see.
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That’s all I saw, too. But I found it — I just have to have time to sit down and watch it! I’m sooooo excited!
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I had no idea John Oliver had his own show! Off to set my DVR….and yes, right after that I’ll be voting with my 80-year-old mother. I can’t wait to hear her voting in the booth next to me yelling “Take that Paul LeJerk!”
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I think he got it when he subbed for John Stewart last summer. It is a great show and Talkingpointsmemo.com usually replays the best parts. (The show is on HBO on Sunday nights). It is also on YouTube. (Last week he did thecsupreme court as interpreted by dog puppets — also brilliant!)
Good luck to you today, and to your badass mother — take that Paul LeJerk! I will have my fingers crossed (and my breath held).
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It’s on HBO? bummer! I’ll check youtube….
And yes, my mom and I already voted. Fingers crossed….I almost don’t want to watch the results coming in…
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Yeah. HBO. But unlike a lot of HBO stuff they get more than a little on YouTube.
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Here she is Elyse….She said “Jeezum crow! If an old lady like me can get out to vote, what’s your excuse?”
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1620606_10152945710882873_614357035392571480_n.jpg?oh=caaba93f700578abb58495b4b1f03d53&oe=54E1F0F4
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YESSSSSSSS!!!!!
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Oh i love your mom. And i don’t look as good at 57 as she does at 80!
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I know, it’s crazy, she turns 81 in January. I think her feistiness is what keeps her going….
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Or maybe the fact that she’s a goat (a capricorn like me. Jan 18)
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Close….born Jan 21st so she’s an Aquarius…..(sing it with me…) “Aaaaquaaaaariuuuussss…..”
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Isn’t that on the cusp? She doesn’t really seem like she should be in The Fifth Dimension!
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Let….the sun shine. Let…..the sun shine in. The SU-U-U-N! shine in.
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The dog video was priceless! Did you see the one that one of his viewers did with the soundtrack from the climactic court scene at the end, hilarious!
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I did! I just live him!
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Fascinating Elyse. Awesome post and amazing video. I had no idea that over 1,000 officials run unopposed. That is mind blowing. I thought the big problem was getting people out to vote – not getting people out to run. That’s even scarier – a paying job in this time of austerity, benefits, expense account, authority, and on and on – and politicians are so hated that no one even applies. Yikes! And Yikes!
As an outsider looking in, it has always been apparent (and we were even taught this in American history) that your country is not called the United States without a reason – it is composed primarily of states that are united. The key point here being that the primary American political unit is the State.
Which means the most fun and the scariest threat to democracy is the State. In any structured human activity, the very essence of that activity (democracy=state in the US) is also it’s most likely down fall. This also applies to a lot of the ohysical world as well. For instance take a dinner plate. It’s structure makes it very strong when struck edge on – the force is spread evenly over the entire plate and it is hard to break (you can try this at home) That same structure – the one that makes it so strong -also provides the easiest way to destroy the plate – strike it face on (i.e. hit the plate flat on the edge of a counter or table) and it will shatter with a miniscule amount of effort.
The moral of tthe story is a as you have been preaching Elyse – vote or lose democracy. The voter provides the strength (and literally the definition)of the democratic system – and it also provides the potential death of the same system. Right here and right now – as it does every time there is a vote.
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Your plate analogy is pretty apt, Paul. And equally scary
Sadly, we havevjust stopped paying attention to local stuff — or to the folks who DO pay attention to the moore mundane issues. And sadly, i don’t see any change on the horizon. John Oliver’s use of humor needs to come out earlier in this process!
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I usually chose to partake of Early Voting, but this year, circumstances didn’t allow for that, so now I’ll be stuck standing in line (I hope) tomorrow. Not sure which is worse – to be stuck standing in line, or to breeze right through because no one cares enough to get out and vote.
I’ll be the first to admit that for many years, I focused more on the national elections than the local elections, until I finally began to see (with horror) how my local good ole guys kept finding their way to Washington. Not only that, but once that ball starts gathering motion, it can be truly difficult to slow their roll. I just wish more Americans weren’t lulled into complacency by distrust, apathy, time management issues, or just plain indifference and laziness. I’m no poster child, nor do I pretend to be, but I do hobble on out there with my walker, stand in line, and at least go through the motions. Casting my ballot is the very least I can do to try to stop the insanity.
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just watched the video — winner, winner, chicken dinner
thanks for sharing the video 🙂
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Isn’t it brilliant? But as he pointed out, it’s too late to get rid of many of these Bozos …
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I do hatevthat roll — unhampered from statehouses to the Capitol. It is horrible because we don’tbpay enough attention at that level. Years sgo, John helped me see that the school board is where you need to begin your vigilence. Because that’s really wherevthey start — especially in Tx (and now VA where religious fanatic have infiltrated).
Hope your wait is enough to show there is enthusiasm but not too long!
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I miss seeing him on the Daily Show! Thanks for the link. Fingers crossed for tomorrow but I’m a bit worried. (Btw, you have very smart followers!).
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I DO have the best followers — they all are on my wave-length, so I am usually preaching to the choir, though! C’est la vie.
I miss John Oliver on the Daily Show , too. But he is doing great things with this show. And unlike most HBO things, these clips are available on YouTube. It must be a public service!
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People need to be careful and investigate who they’re voting for because a lot of people in the Government are complete liars and will tell you what you want to hear. Great write!
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My response to you has disappeared twice!
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Really? That’s weird. What did you say?
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I was traveling and kept hitting dead zones (I guess). But it was annoying!
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K. I got it.
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Now that you know I’m not ignoring you, I will reconstruct!
These days, I think that a different sort of person is attracted to politics. It used to be a rather noble calling for many. Now, it is about power grabs and influence pedaling. It seems that fewer people are in it to do good for the country, rather than themselves.
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That’s true.
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Yep, watched it today. Scary stuff, that. ALWAYS vote, and ALWAYS pay attention. You DO matter if you make the effort!
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Yes! You can share my soapbox!!!
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OK, I have to find this show. I love John Oliver but I must have been living under a rock to have missed that he has a show now.
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It is on HBO, which sucks. But it is usually reported on one of my favorite librul blogs — TalkingPointsMemo.com. And it is also on YouTube. So those rocks are crumbling!
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Reblogged this on Berna's Vibe~The Way I See IT…. and commented:
REblogged by Berna from the FiftyFourandAHALF blog site .. Whether you’ve early voted or will VOTE tomorrow this is a piece well worth watching ! Get out the vote & VOTE
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Yes! Vote! Unless you disagree with me ;).
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Love this guy, I think he is likely the smartest one out there. Thanks for this one, I missed it.
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Glad to share it with you, Val. One of the things I like about his show is that he focuses on one issue per show — brilliantly! I’m sure your fingernails look more or less like mine today!
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Wow, I’ve been watching him from time to time and missed this one . Excellent piece to re blog on the eve of the elections . As always thanks for sharing !
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Thanks, Berna! I do love John Oliver! I hope he keeps on about these officials — maybe we can have some rational folks in guv’ment before too long!
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If people would just watch the Daily Show, the Colbert Report, and this show, and not watch Fox news, we would all be better off.
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You are soooooo right!
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Again
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That makes twice, right?
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So far… this year… yeah…
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I love all 3 of those shows! I’m going to miss Colbert when he’s gone… He’ll be taking over for Letterman but won’t be in character. I wonder how it will turn out.
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I can’t picture it.
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I know, it’s going to be weird.
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I like weird
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I watch all three…religiously, so to speak.
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You’re my kind of zealot, Doobs!
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Or nonreligiously, as the case may be.
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And Bill Moyers: billmoyers.com/episode/bernie-sanders-breaking-big-moneys-grip-elections/
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Yes!
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that will work too
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I vote early tomorrow and be lad when all the bull shit, mud-slinging, name-calling, lying ads have stopped!!
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See? It has me so frustrated that I can’t even type a proper sentence.
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Those are just for the elections, though. Sadly we will still hear much the same on the nees as that’s what sells!
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Can’t wait to cast my vote for Tom Wolf (running for governor in Pennsylvania). Wolf might be the only good news for the Dems tomorrow.
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I hope there will be some good news! I can’t bring myself to believe what I’m reading.
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