As mentioned yesterday, eleven people (so far) are mounting write-in campaigns for the Knox County Commission primary and have filed the necessary certifications. On the one hand, it's great that the controversy over term-limits has new candidates interested in seeking office. Government can always use fresh ideas. On the other hand, where were all these people for the last twelve years? For that matter, why weren't Democrats going to put up challengers in some of these districts that they're now scrambling to find write-in candidates for? I'm sure the excuse is that the incumbents were so entrenched there wasn't any point, and that's all changed now thanks to a court ruling. It's sad that the opposition party isn't even willing to fill out some forms and get a few signatures to get names on a ballot. The candidates don't have to spend money. They don't have to buy signs or bumper stickers or ad spots. They don't even have to campaign. Just get some names on the ballot so voters have a choice. Submissive behavior is how incumbents get so entrenched in the first place, and how power gets consolidated in the hands of a few. But low voter turnout, general apathy, and dysfunctional tolerance for ignoring term limits the voters themselves enacted twelve years ago tell the real story. Everyone's happy with the status quo, and nobody cares about local government except a few reporters, assorted political junkies, and the usual power broker suspects. OK, then.