On Tuesday, Mitt Romney was supported by over 60 percent of Alabama, one of the highest state supports in the nation. This was as expected – no shock value in the presidential outcome of our red state.
Also Tuesday, Roy Moore was elected Chief Justice of Alabama, winning with just over 50 percent.
That’s where the shock sets in.
Do you know who you’ve elected?
You’ve elected a man who has already been fired from the role of Chief Justice of Alabama in 2003 because he refused to move a 5,200-pound Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Judicial Building. You’ve elected a man who tried to refuse custody to a mother from an abusive father because of her sexual orientation. You’ve elected a man who does not recognize the separation of church and state, and regardless of your religious beliefs, that’s against the Constitution.
In a column explaining his political goals, Moore even pledged to “resist all efforts to disparage or destroy our beloved Constitution.” Oh, thank goodness (don’t worry, I won’t use the Lord’s name in vain), that’s just what Alabamians want and need.
To be clear, this is not a partisan issue – this is a competency issue.
Other states ousted incompetent assholes like Todd Akin, who said rape could be “legitimate” and Richard Murdoch who said that in the case of rape, the pregnancy was a gift from God.
But in Alabama, we elected a Chief Justice who said “In God we trust” is in “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
And sure, comments about “the will of God” are less controversial than quotes about rape, but I’m sure with time Moore can provide us with some of those as well.
Apparently our voters don’t read the newspaper or care to do research about the other elections on our ballot. Or, they actually are as backward as the rest of the country thinks we are and believe Moses himself would make a stellar politician. I’d like to believe the former.
This isn’t directed at those who elected Romney or Republicans – he was a great candidate with a great vision. This is for those who didn’t take the time to educate themselves and by voting a straight Republican ticket, elected a completely incompetent, bible-thumping idiot.
But, you say, what if people actually did vote for him? Please, don’t kid yourself. Maybe (MAYBE) 10 percent of his votes were purposeful. And that 10 percent was probably cast by the 60-plus demographic.
State election results matter just as much, if not more, as the results of the national ones. Who you elect determines how your state will grow, what laws will be passed, and how your everyday life will be affected.
After Tuesday’s results in what seemed like the most obvious of choices, it’s apparent voters didn’t use the tools created to inform you. Maybe I’m upset because I feel as though my major is obsolete, thanks to the apparent lack of interest shown by uneducated voters. Or maybe I’m just so confused about what the hell 50 percent of voters were thinking.
I am not a native Alabamian, but I voted as one yesterday. I have lived here for almost 10 years of my life. And I am embarrassed.
Before yesterday, I didn’t think the race between Moore and Bob Vance would be tight because I didn’t understand how that would be humanly possible given the obvious negativity and ridiculousness of Moore.
But I was wrong. And shocked. Tuesday, Alabama elected someone who will continue to hinder the potential of our state and continue to humiliate us on a national level.
