From Sandy, a lesson for election

Douglas Rushkoff, Special to CNN
Updated 5:46 PM EST, Tue November 6, 2012
Cleaning crews work in Manhattan's financial district following damage from Superstorm Sandy on Monday, November 12. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/us/gallery/ny-sandy/index.html" target="_blank"><strong>View photos of New York's recovery.</strong></a>
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Cleaning crews work in Manhattan's financial district following damage from Superstorm Sandy on Monday, November 12. View photos of New York's recovery.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Evelyn Faherty hugs a friend on Sunday, November 11,<strong> </strong>while discussing the damage done to her home by Superstorm Sandy in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Evelyn Faherty hugs a friend on Sunday, November 11, while discussing the damage done to her home by Superstorm Sandy in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Reuters /ANDREW BURTON /LANDOV
Volunteers shovel sand and water out of the basement of Monir Islam's home in the Rockaway Park neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Sunday. The Rockaways peninsula in Queens was one of the areas hardest hit by Sandy. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/us/gallery/sandy-rockaway/index.html" target="_blank">See photos of Rockaway's continuing struggles</a>.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Volunteers shovel sand and water out of the basement of Monir Islam's home in the Rockaway Park neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Sunday. The Rockaways peninsula in Queens was one of the areas hardest hit by Sandy. See photos of Rockaway's continuing struggles.
Reuters /ANDREW BURTON /LANDOV
Furniture and other belongings are strewn under and around a beach house damaged by Sandy on Saturday, November 10, in Mystic Island, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Furniture and other belongings are strewn under and around a beach house damaged by Sandy on Saturday, November 10, in Mystic Island, New Jersey.
REUTERS /HANDOUT /LANDOV
Streets in Ortley Beach, New Jersey, were destroyed by Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Streets in Ortley Beach, New Jersey, were destroyed by Sandy.
REUTERS /HANDOUT /LANDOV
Clean-up continues on Saturday, November 10 among piles of debris where a large section of the iconic boardwalk was washed away in the heavily damaged Rockaways.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Clean-up continues on Saturday, November 10 among piles of debris where a large section of the iconic boardwalk was washed away in the heavily damaged Rockaways.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Mac Baker, right, poses with her niece Nytaisha Baker next to pots of water she heats on the floor with small flames for a bit of warmth in Baker's unheated apartment in the Ocean Bay public housing projects in the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens on Friday, November 9.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Mac Baker, right, poses with her niece Nytaisha Baker next to pots of water she heats on the floor with small flames for a bit of warmth in Baker's unheated apartment in the Ocean Bay public housing projects in the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens on Friday, November 9.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Theresa Goddard, her apartment still without electricity, is overwhelmed while discussing her living conditions on Thursday, November 8, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Theresa Goddard, her apartment still without electricity, is overwhelmed while discussing her living conditions on Thursday, November 8, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
John Moore/Getty Images
A police officer carries blankets donated by Ikea for people affected by Superstorm Sandy in Brooklyn.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A police officer carries blankets donated by Ikea for people affected by Superstorm Sandy in Brooklyn.
John Moore/Getty Images
Debris from Superstorm Sandy is seen on a beach Thursday in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Debris from Superstorm Sandy is seen on a beach Thursday in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Troops from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the U.S. Navy help local residents remove household items damaged by Superstorm Sandy on November 6, in the New Dorp Beach neighborhood of Staten Island, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Troops from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the U.S. Navy help local residents remove household items damaged by Superstorm Sandy on November 6, in the New Dorp Beach neighborhood of Staten Island, New York.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
Voter Sheresa Walker uses a flashlight for poll worker Lloyd Edwards in a tent set up as a polling place in Queens, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Voter Sheresa Walker uses a flashlight for poll worker Lloyd Edwards in a tent set up as a polling place in Queens, New York.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
A poll worker directs people to a temporary polling center in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York. Polling sites in Coney Island and the surrounding area were damaged during Superstorm Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A poll worker directs people to a temporary polling center in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York. Polling sites in Coney Island and the surrounding area were damaged during Superstorm Sandy.
BRENDAN MCDERMID REUTERS //LANDOV
Michael Fischkelta, 8, lies on his cot with his mother, Jenifer Wilson, in a Red Cross evacuation shelter set up in the gymnasium of Toms River High School on Monday, November 5, in Toms River, New Jersey. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/us/gallery/ny-sandy/index.html">View photos of the recovery efforts in New York.</a>
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Michael Fischkelta, 8, lies on his cot with his mother, Jenifer Wilson, in a Red Cross evacuation shelter set up in the gymnasium of Toms River High School on Monday, November 5, in Toms River, New Jersey. View photos of the recovery efforts in New York.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Ruth Hawfield sits next to her cot Monday in a Red Cross evacuation shelter at Toms River High School.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Ruth Hawfield sits next to her cot Monday in a Red Cross evacuation shelter at Toms River High School.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
A woman fills out an early voting ballot on Sunday, November 4, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie ordered early voting stations to stay open through the weekend in an effort to get people to vote despite the damage done by Superstorm Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A woman fills out an early voting ballot on Sunday, November 4, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie ordered early voting stations to stay open through the weekend in an effort to get people to vote despite the damage done by Superstorm Sandy.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
A woman sifts through her mother's damaged home for items to save Sunday in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A woman sifts through her mother's damaged home for items to save Sunday in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A workman repairs damage to the steeple of the First United Methodist Church on Sunday in Port Jefferson, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A workman repairs damage to the steeple of the First United Methodist Church on Sunday in Port Jefferson, New York.
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
People sift through their damaged home on Sunday in Breezy Point.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People sift through their damaged home on Sunday in Breezy Point.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A statue of a firefighter stands in front of a burned down house Sunday in Rockaway, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A statue of a firefighter stands in front of a burned down house Sunday in Rockaway, New York.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Abraham Cambrelen, 19, takes the Staten Island Ferry to go check on his mother Sunday while New York recovers from Hurricane Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Abraham Cambrelen, 19, takes the Staten Island Ferry to go check on his mother Sunday while New York recovers from Hurricane Sandy.
MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images
Crowds wait for free gas on Saturday, November 3, at the Bedford Avenue Armory in Brooklyn, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Crowds wait for free gas on Saturday, November 3, at the Bedford Avenue Armory in Brooklyn, New York.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
A house sits devastated by Superstorm Sandy on Friday, November 2, in Union Beach, New Jersey. The cost of the storm's damage in the U.S. is estimated at between $30 billion and $50 billion, according to disaster modeling firm Eqecat.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A house sits devastated by Superstorm Sandy on Friday, November 2, in Union Beach, New Jersey. The cost of the storm's damage in the U.S. is estimated at between $30 billion and $50 billion, according to disaster modeling firm Eqecat.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
A baby picture lies beneath rubble in a neighborhood devastated by the storm in Union Beach on Friday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A baby picture lies beneath rubble in a neighborhood devastated by the storm in Union Beach on Friday.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Flood-damaged belongings sit on the side of the road in Union Beach on Friday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Flood-damaged belongings sit on the side of the road in Union Beach on Friday.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Park Choul works by flashlight in his deli in New York's East Village on Thursday, November 1. More than 3.3 million customers remained without electricity in 15 states and the District of Columbia four days after Sandy barreled ashore.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Park Choul works by flashlight in his deli in New York's East Village on Thursday, November 1. More than 3.3 million customers remained without electricity in 15 states and the District of Columbia four days after Sandy barreled ashore.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Geronimo Harrison's apartment in the East Village remains without power or water Thursday. He's using candles for light and a gas stove for heat.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Geronimo Harrison's apartment in the East Village remains without power or water Thursday. He's using candles for light and a gas stove for heat.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Water gets pumped out of a business in the East Village on Thursday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Water gets pumped out of a business in the East Village on Thursday.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
A roller coaster sits in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after the Fun Town pier it sat on in Seaside Heights, New Jersey<strong>, </strong>was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A roller coaster sits in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after the Fun Town pier it sat on in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Amusement-park rides lie mangled on the beach after the Fun Town pier in Seaside Heights was destroyed.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Amusement-park rides lie mangled on the beach after the Fun Town pier in Seaside Heights was destroyed.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The arcade at the FunTown pier in Seaside Heights is in ruins. Storm damage is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
The arcade at the FunTown pier in Seaside Heights is in ruins. Storm damage is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The inside of a gas pump is exposed at a closed station that was recently under floodwater on Thursday, November 1, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Superstorm Sandy, which made landfall along the New Jersey shore, has left the state with a fuel shortage due to logistical problems and power failures.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
The inside of a gas pump is exposed at a closed station that was recently under floodwater on Thursday, November 1, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Superstorm Sandy, which made landfall along the New Jersey shore, has left the state with a fuel shortage due to logistical problems and power failures.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
People wait in line for fuel at a Shell Oil station onThursday in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Fuel shortages have led to long lines of cars at gasoline stations in many states.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People wait in line for fuel at a Shell Oil station onThursday in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Fuel shortages have led to long lines of cars at gasoline stations in many states.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Cars wait in line for fuel at a Gulf gas station in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Cars wait in line for fuel at a Gulf gas station in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
A woman leaves an Exxon gas station that was out of fuel on Thursday in North Bergen, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A woman leaves an Exxon gas station that was out of fuel on Thursday in North Bergen, New Jersey.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Bridget De La Torre holds her daughter Neve, 3, as daughter Paz sits nearby while they rest and charge devices on Thursday. They were at a shelter for those affected by Superstorm Sandy at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Hoboken, New Jersey. Bridget's family has no electricity or hot water, and their car was destroyed by flooding.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Bridget De La Torre holds her daughter Neve, 3, as daughter Paz sits nearby while they rest and charge devices on Thursday. They were at a shelter for those affected by Superstorm Sandy at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Hoboken, New Jersey. Bridget's family has no electricity or hot water, and their car was destroyed by flooding.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Waves break in front of an amusement park destroyed by Superstorm Sandy on Wednesday, October 31, in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. At least 56 people were killed in the storm. New Jersey suffered massive damage and power outages.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Waves break in front of an amusement park destroyed by Superstorm Sandy on Wednesday, October 31, in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. At least 56 people were killed in the storm. New Jersey suffered massive damage and power outages.
Getty Images
People walk near the remains of burned homes in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People walk near the remains of burned homes in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
An overview of the fire damage in Queens, New York, following Hurricane Sandy. Residents in hard-hit areas sifted through the wreckage of Sandy on Wednesday as millions remained without power.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
An overview of the fire damage in Queens, New York, following Hurricane Sandy. Residents in hard-hit areas sifted through the wreckage of Sandy on Wednesday as millions remained without power.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Buildings on the shoreline are pictured from Air Force One as it prepares to land in Atlantic City, New Jersey, carrying President Barack Obama, who visited areas hardest hit by the unprecedented storm.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Buildings on the shoreline are pictured from Air Force One as it prepares to land in Atlantic City, New Jersey, carrying President Barack Obama, who visited areas hardest hit by the unprecedented storm.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama speaks as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie looks on, as they visit a shelter for Hurricane Sandy victims in Brigantine, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
President Barack Obama speaks as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie looks on, as they visit a shelter for Hurricane Sandy victims in Brigantine, New Jersey.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
The shadow of Air Force One is cast on the water as it prepares to land in Atlantic City on Wednesday, October 31.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
The shadow of Air Force One is cast on the water as it prepares to land in Atlantic City on Wednesday, October 31.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Residents in the Rockaway section of Queens, New York, wait to charge their phones at a government generator. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey resumed operations on limited schedules Wednesday, and the New York Stock Exchange commenced trading after being closed for two days.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Residents in the Rockaway section of Queens, New York, wait to charge their phones at a government generator. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey resumed operations on limited schedules Wednesday, and the New York Stock Exchange commenced trading after being closed for two days.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Motorists drive through standing water in Hoboken, New Jersey. Known as the Mile Square City, the low-lying neighborhoods suffered deep flooding resulting from the storm surge associated with Hurricane Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Motorists drive through standing water in Hoboken, New Jersey. Known as the Mile Square City, the low-lying neighborhoods suffered deep flooding resulting from the storm surge associated with Hurricane Sandy.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
A member of Army National Guard Unit Gulf 250 from Morristown, New Jersey, evacuates victims of Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken on Wednesday, October 31.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A member of Army National Guard Unit Gulf 250 from Morristown, New Jersey, evacuates victims of Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken on Wednesday, October 31.
Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images
Residents traverse flooded streets as clean up operations begin in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Residents traverse flooded streets as clean up operations begin in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
New Jersey Natural Gas technician Carlos Rojas inspects a leaking gas main that is under water at a home damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
New Jersey Natural Gas technician Carlos Rojas inspects a leaking gas main that is under water at a home damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
A resident looks through the remnants of his home in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A resident looks through the remnants of his home in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Scott Eells/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Flood-damaged streets are viewed in the Rockaway section of Queens, New York, where the historic boardwalk was washed away due to Hurricane Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Flood-damaged streets are viewed in the Rockaway section of Queens, New York, where the historic boardwalk was washed away due to Hurricane Sandy.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People walk past homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People walk past homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Traders stand outside of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Wednesday, October 31. U.S. equity markets resumed trading Wednesday for the first time this week after Hurricane Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Traders stand outside of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Wednesday, October 31. U.S. equity markets resumed trading Wednesday for the first time this week after Hurricane Sandy.
Peter Foley/Bloomberg/Getty Images
People board the ferry, one of the few functioning transportation systems, in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 31.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People board the ferry, one of the few functioning transportation systems, in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 31.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the State University of New York Maritime Academy aid in the relief efforts, using row boats to help victims from in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Members of the State University of New York Maritime Academy aid in the relief efforts, using row boats to help victims from in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images
Jimmy Lee, owner of The Nail Store, begins the cleanup of his shop from damage done by Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Jimmy Lee, owner of The Nail Store, begins the cleanup of his shop from damage done by Hurricane Sandy in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images
Blaine Badick and her fiancee Andrew Grapsas cross a flooded street with their dog while leaving their home in Hoboken.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Blaine Badick and her fiancee Andrew Grapsas cross a flooded street with their dog while leaving their home in Hoboken.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Residents walk through the area where the boardwalk was washed away in the Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Residents walk through the area where the boardwalk was washed away in the Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The Rockaway boardwalk in Queens, New York, was stripped down to the piers by Superstorm Sandy.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
The Rockaway boardwalk in Queens, New York, was stripped down to the piers by Superstorm Sandy.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People look at a damaged section of the Rockaway boardwalk in Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People look at a damaged section of the Rockaway boardwalk in Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People walk down a flooded street on Wednesday, October 31, in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
People walk down a flooded street on Wednesday, October 31, in Hoboken, New Jersey.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
A man charges his cellphone at a home that still has power in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 31. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 2 million customers in New Jersey were without power.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A man charges his cellphone at a home that still has power in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 31. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 2 million customers in New Jersey were without power.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter stands on the porch of a home destroyed by fire in Queens on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A firefighter stands on the porch of a home destroyed by fire in Queens on Wednesday.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Customers line up to buy supplies at an Ace Hardware with a power generator in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Customers line up to buy supplies at an Ace Hardware with a power generator in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Superstorm Sandy stripped the steps from the deck of this home in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Superstorm Sandy stripped the steps from the deck of this home in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Superstorm Sandy left a car buried in sand in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Superstorm Sandy left a car buried in sand in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
A helicopter flies past damaged homes in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 31.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A helicopter flies past damaged homes in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 31.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
A man makes his way through floodwater and debris in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A man makes his way through floodwater and debris in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
A police car patrols an empty waterfront neighborhood without power in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
A police car patrols an empty waterfront neighborhood without power in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA/LANDOV
Concrete piers are all that remain of the destroyed boardwalk in Atlantic City on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Concrete piers are all that remain of the destroyed boardwalk in Atlantic City on Wednesday.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA/LANDOV
Debris from damaged property and the remains of a boardwalk litter the shoreline in Atlantic City on Wednesday.
Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy —
Debris from damaged property and the remains of a boardwalk litter the shoreline in Atlantic City on Wednesday.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA/LANDOV