Madison Cawthorn concedesMadison Cawthorn concedes

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly came back to town for the short session. I wouldn’t predict that much will happen since it’s an election year. Last fall, they did pass a budget for the first time in several years.

It also was the week of the primaries that were delayed because of the various courts’ actions about gerrymandering. Some people tried to read a lot into them. I would say the significant factor was the large amount of money from outside the state that was poured into TV advertising.

We’ve got 5 months until November 8th so I would say it’s too early even to speculate. Naysayers claim that Biden’s poor poll ratings will carry onto downstream state elections. The shifting sands of the economy, inflation, stock market dive, possible recession, probable new wave in the Covid-19 pandemic, abortion as a motivating factor in generating turn-out, book burnings/bans, and more mass shootings vie for public attention on the political scene. There also is the possibility of a big surprise this fall.

The bi-partisan efforts of the Congress last year already are fading back to the normal gridlock and blame game. A voting rights bill or another series of stimulus packages seem unlikely. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates twice already this year, and people are guessing that may slightly dampen inflation. It also may push us into a recession, or a market correction as some would prefer to call it.

I guess that I will have to give up broadcast TV for the next several months (except for PBS) or limit my viewing to streaming services. You can forget about public financing of political campaigns or taking any legislative action to limit the Citizens’ United ruling. I will vote, but I believe that a lot of the hoopla has little effect on changing people’s minds. It just makes folks feel like they’re doing something to help their candidates. The money in the elections isn’t just the TV ads; it’s the back door deals where the real money talks.

Seems like it would be a good time to head for the mountains or the beach.

by John Suddath This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.