Marcos Breton: If you didn't vote, then don't gripe

If you didn't vote, you have no right to complain about anything.

Sorry. Not interested.

Tuesday's dismal election turnout in California is portrayed as an indictment of a field of candidates and a political process many claim to abhor.

But you know what? It was an indictment on the electorate as well. Yes, you're at fault, too, if you sat back on Tuesday and did nothing.

Those who do nothing and know nothing in this world are the people who have things happen to them.

Enjoy the ride.

I know. As a columnist, I'm supposed to revel in the cynicism of politics and use this space to skewer politicos and promote the idea that they are all corrupt. It's fashionable and even thought to be intelligent to state that it doesn't matter whom you vote for – that a vote is a waste of time because Republicans and Democrats are equally complicit in a broken system.

Thinking that way is a cop-out. It's not intelligent; it's just cynical.

Anyone can be cynical. It takes no particular courage or perseverance, love, passion, commitment or sacrifice to be cynical.

All you need to be cynical is to identify a problem and conjure up clever excuses for why it can't be solved or for why all involved are corrupt.

Knock yourself out, but I've had it with that.

In Sacramento, the ultimate government town outside of Washington, D.C., we've raised cynicism to an art form.

Do us all a favor: If you're cynical about our community, then please leave it. Things are bad enough in Sacramento already.

About half the homeowners in this county and the surrounding counties are underwater on their homes.

Our schools are overcrowded. Too many young people languish without opportunities. In the meantime, this government-dominated region is like a dog chewing on its own tail.

Too often we're less citizens concerned about a communal interests. More often we're interest groups concerned about entitlements – and that's it. Everyone and everything else be damned.

We live in the greatest information age of all time, and yet we don't like ideas that challenge us. We say we hate negative campaigns, and yet they are mass produced with millions of dollars. Why?

Because the consultants know that we know little.

So, whom should we vote for? What issues should we support? What can you do?

I'll answer a question with a question: Why are you even asking? Why are you looking for the perfect leader when he or she does not exist?

You know where leadership should start? When we look in the mirror.

Terrible things happen in this world when people think they can do nothing about it.

Please, wake up.

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