Race Matters

The election takes place on Tuesday with, among other things, a heated senate race (D’Amato-Schumer). Also up for grabs: the highest statewide office (Vallone goes up against Pataki for governor). But hey, who cares?

Christian Spiotta Age: 30 Resides: Chelsea Occupation: Writer Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? No. I know it’s stupid, letting power slip out of your hands by not participating, but I’m fed up. What, if anything, turns you off about politics today? I don’t like being lied to–and the veil is so thin. It’s demeaning. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I’d restructure so that people were actually voting on the issues rather than the representatives. Like, let’s vote next month on tobacco laws.

Isaac Ross Age: 20 Resides: Sunset Park, Brooklyn Occupation: Computer programmer Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? Yes. Is there a particular race or issue that you care about? No, but I guess I’d like to get a liberal in. I like Schumer more than D’Amato. What, if anything, turns you off about politics today? All they do is lie. And none of these commercials say anything about what they want to do. They don’t know how to talk themselves up, they just knock the other person down. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I’d let up on consensual crimes–crimes that don’t really effect anybody but yourself–like smoking a joint. And the petty, quality-of-life crap has to go. The other day I got a $50 ticket for putting my feet up on the subway!

Ryan Martone Age: 27 Resides: Union Square Occupation: Small business owner Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? No. Even if I were registered I would not vote. Is there a particular race or issue that you care about? No. Whoever gets elected, I’ll still be here tomorrow doing the same thing. What, if anything, turns you off about politics today? I wouldn’t say I’m really turned off by it. It’s just, in the grand scheme of the universe, it doesn’t really matter if it’s D’Amato or the other guy. And I felt like that about politics before Monica. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I’d tell the truth.

DeBorrah Ogunjobi Age: 44 Resides: East 116th Street Occupation: Nurse Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? Yes. Is there a particular race or issue that you care about? I’ve been following the Schumer-D’Amato race, but . . . I don’t know who’s telling you the truth. What, if anything, turns you off about politics today? The lies. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I’d fix up a lot of these empty buildings around the city so these homeless people can get off the streets.

Eliza Donela Age: 18 Resides: Union Square Occupation: Student Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? No, because I’m not registered. I’m in my own little college bubble. Is there a particular race or issue that you care about? No, and I’m sick of all the ads and mudslinging, particularly by D’Amato and Schumer. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I would never be a politician. But since people like me don’t really express their beliefs–by voting–I guess it’s a vicious circle. And it’s sort of funny that I feel this way considering I was recently a page for the U.S. Senate.

Heather Palmer Age: 25 Resides: Upper West Side Occupation: Works at a rock-climbing gym Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? Yes. Is there a particular race or issue that you care about? I guess, generally, I’m just trying to figure out what these guys stand for. What, if anything, turns you off about politics today? It gets too cotton candy; it’s not dealing with what’s really important to people. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I’d give lots of money to the arts.

Mike Miller Age: 21 Resides: Soho Occupation: Bartender Are you voting in Tuesday’s election? Yes. Because I just like voicing my opinion. What, if anything, turns you off about politics today? It’s a lot of bullshit. If you were a politician, what would you do differently? I’d stop this impeachment process. Who cares if Clinton’s a little horny one day? He did lie, but . . . wouldn’t you?