Sometimes we get what we vote for.

• Author: McCorkle, Vern
• Position: From the Publisher

... and the converse is also true: "Sometimes we get what we don't vote for!" When Candidate A or Proposition 100 wins in a low-vote turnout, it might easily be misconstrued that everybody is satisfied with the status quo and therefore very few bothered, or thought it necessary, to vote.

The upshot of this may be that potentially unworthy candidates or incumbents are returned to office, and ill-conceived propositions end up in the law books. Perhaps, just perhaps, that is why Alaska finds itself in the unenviable position it is in now--still the brunt TV news punditariots, late night comedians and day-timer talk show hosts.

Therefore, editorial writers fervently disparage errant voters to do their duty and vote. To shame them, if necessary, by reminding them that their one vote really may actually count: a candidate may win or lose by their single non-cast vote. And the writer will cite all kind of examples to make their "One Vote Counts" argument, such as:

* One vote gave Rutherford B. Hayes the U.S. presidency in 1876;

* One vote gave the head of the Nazi Party to Adolph Hitler in 1923;

* One vote saved the Selective Service one day before Pearl Harbor in 1945;

* One vote kept Richard Nixon from becoming president over John F. Kennedy in 1960; and more.

Of course none of this is true, although often repeated by those passionately inciting others to vote. Give them A for effort but F for accuracy and failing to check facts.

YES, JOE, YOUR 1 VOTE REALLY DOES COUNT

And the reason that it does count is because, when added together with all of the other nonvotes, the numbers can have far-reaching significance. If Alaskans and Americans are to take back their government, as many are suggesting we need do, then it will not be done by...