Bingo, or, Taking Democracy for Granted

Manning the polls at yesterday's special primary election for Senator Kerry's seat in the U.S. Senate, Marash Girl once again witnessed a very sparse turnout of folks showing up to vote in a city that touts its educational system. (Folks who move to Newton and are willing to purchase homes at over the top prices in order to live in a city where the schools are considered excellent.) In one precinct of this very city, a representative precinct at that, only 20% of registered voters turned out to vote.  The attitude was summed up by one woman who arrived and exclaimed, "What?  No Bingo today?  Well, if I can't play Bingo, I might as well vote!"