Power corrupts

One of the more disturbing trends in recent elections, and one which has reached new heights in this election year, is the repeated allegation of voter fraud/voter registration fraud/voter intimidation, and more stories are sure to come in the next few weeks. Both sides are accusing the other of doing nefarious deeds designed to suppress the turnout for the opponent. Both sides simultaneously plead that they are innocent of anything bad their opponent says about them.

I believe that the underlying basis for all of these allegations is the same on both sides -- the quest to gain, or retain, power. Because the government has morphed into a leviathan that the Founders would hardly recognize as the fruit of their labors, there is tremendous power to be had by occupying public office. It has come to be seen as an opportunity to wield great influence over the lives of fellow citizens, rather than being what holding office was intended to be -- a public service, where elected officials were sent to their positions to serve the interests of their constituents, rather than lord over them.

As a result, we see repeated claims that voter registration cards have been destroyed, fictional characters are registered to vote, voter registration cards are filled out with non-existent addresses listed, campaign signs are destroyed, violence against campaign headquarters, and so on, all in an effort to ensure power. Both political parties are guilty of this to one degree or another. This is a consequence, and should be a warning sign about the dangers of, a government that has expanded beyond its intended scope.