From a friend's letter, November 1984

[LeftishBrit]

I have been going through my very old files, and found a letter dated Nov. 10th, 1984, from a friend of mine, also British. We were students at the time, at different universities. Among much else in her letter:

'There's been loads and loads in the paper and on TV about the US elections. There isn't much to say now, is there? Reagan won by a landslide - 49 states out of 50, which sounds a lot more impressive than 59% against 41%, especially when you realize that only about half the electorate voted. That leaves Reagan with about 27% of the total electorate. Some majority. I wish more people would realize what lies behind this 'landslide' victory'.

Indeed. And the same for Thatcher who never got more than 43% of the vote (even if you only count those who bothered to vote). Sometimes forgotten against all the St Ronnie and Iron Lady myths these days.

[randome]

1. I don't know how history will weigh these past decades.

Apathy without strong leaders allows someone like Reagan to rise? Imbeciles like Bush? When did the apathy begin? Does it still hold sway?

On the other hand, Barack Obama. But if we don't take advantage of what we have now, and have the next leader ready to take the helm, we could easily end up with another Reagan in 2016.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. Ummmm......

There are many times I aspire to be apathetic.

How does that happen? Pretty simple really. You come to realize that there isn't a politician that will serve to advance and protect your needs and interests. You realize that you will always be left to vote for the best of two bad candidates - and the best candidate, when elected, will not do much to significanlty improve your lot in life and may, in fact, make it worse. That kind of shit is demoralizing. Even before you realize that it takes considerable time and effort to wade through the media bullshit and be well informed.

[BlueIris]

2. I've been reading your posts on those clowns for a few years now.

It's both heartening and disturbing to think how odious (and how obviously so) our terrible electoral decisions were "across the pond."

[LeftishBrit]

6. Well, we made our own terrible electoral decisions in the form of the disastrous Maggie Thatcher!

('we' as in the UK; I hasten to add that I never voted for her!)

[treestar]

4. What kind of turnout does the UK get?

The problem with people who don't vote is, in my opinion, they could have with very little effort.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Higher than yours, but going down

73% in 1983; 65% in 2010.

In the UK it's fairly easy to vote, so most who don't vote are probably either not making an effort, or actively choosing not to vote for 'any of those bastards'. In America, as I understand it, there are far longer queues, and far more restrictive demands for ID.

[treestar]

7. Doesn't UK worry about immigrants voting?

Or are they allowed to vote?

I didn't have to produce ID yet. But I think I will next time. At any rate, that's easy. Though not always for some people.