Elections and Cinco de Mayo

Last Friday, Warren countians continued our tradition of democracy in action by voting in the local Democratic and Republican primaries. Although the weather dampened the turnout on Tuesday, early voting contributed to a relatively high turnout for local primaries.

The results were both historic and profound. For example, Sheriff Jackie Matheny won his party?s nomination for a fourth term. He will face an independent opponent in August.

Meanwhile, Lisa Zavogiannis won the right to represent her party against independent incumbent Dale Potter in August. Also, political newcomer John Pelham unseated Kenneth Rogers to become county executive. With no opposition in August, Mr. Pelham will take office Sept. 1.

So, for the cynics among us who think their votes don?t count, just ask the winners and losers. They all fought hard to earn our votes. Some won and some lost. All deserve our thanks for their efforts. The winners were humble in victory and the losers were gracious in defeat. That, too, is part of our election tradition. This tradition, so firmly enshrined in our own political culture, is alien to many other cultures around the world.

In the USA, elections ultimately result in the peaceful transfer of political power. That is why we value our elections so, even if we don?t vote as vigorously as we should. Not so in many countries, where elections are merely a facade of freedom, not a reality.

Even in Iraq, where voters have gone to the polls in vast numbers, despite the dangers, they are learning the hard way that elections alone are no guarantors of good governance. Instead, elected leaders are still struggling to achieve the compromise and consensus so vital to unified, effective political power.

Our tradition of elections is part of our culture and political fabric. It is a unifying thread that ties us together as Americans. Despite our diversity and our many differences in social, political, economic, ethnic or economic status, we are all equal when it comes down to our vote. And that is a tradition worth protecting and preserving.

On Friday, we saw another tradition continued. Cinco de Mayo was celebrated. Do you know why? Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, is a national holiday in Mexico. It commemorates a key battle won by Mexico over France on May 5th, 1862. French forces had been sent by Napoleon III to invade Mexico. The French pretext for the invasion was that Mexico owed them money and had refused to pay it. The real reason was the French Army was allied with Mexican guerrillas to overthrow the Mexican government and form a great French Empire that would extend to America.

The Battle of Cinco de Mayo delayed, but did not prevent a French Empire in Mexico. However, it was the last time an army from another continent invaded the Americas. That, too, is cause for celebration, in Mexico, and here in the USA.

Thomas B. Vaughn is a professor at Motlow College and co-host of the radio show ?Viewpoints,? which airs on 91.3 FM.