Vote
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know who I am going to vote for on Tuesday. But know this . . . I am going to vote.
There is talk of four-hour lines. I will have to stand on line with him. But I'm going to vote.
And here's the thing . . . my Magickeepers book comes out of a little bit of family history. My father's family is from Russia and I grew up hearing about how his grandfather's family was lined up in a field and all of them shot to death, one after the other, in front of each other, during the Communist Revolution.
My grandmother told me about a girl who sang opera who was taken to the public square and shot for having a voice that was "too expressive."
My grandmother grew up in a place where you couldn't vote. So I have never understood--even though the two-party system is, I think, broken--not voting. Even if you don't like the two presidential choices, there are always all sorts of other elements to the ballot. If you live in California, there's Proposition 8. I remember one year in Florida, there was an animal rights act to vote on (specifically pigs . . . and I remember coming home from voting and my mom asking me, "So did you vote for or against the pigs?").
My vote will be counted on Tuesday. It's largely going to be a down-the-line rejection of the last eight years. But I'm voting. When I think of what my father's family went through to come here . . . I owe it to them, frankly.
So . . you voting? And anyone else feeling like Wednesday they will have massive political junkie withdrawals?
42 comments:
I voted last Thursday, only had to stand in line for 30 minutes.
I'm hoping to feel mass euphoria Wednesday, knowing I'll never have to hear a certain female voice again for as long as I live.
I've voted absentee for the last few elections, so my vote was in a few weeks ago! But while I avoided the lines- I did miss the "I Voted!" sticker!
My husband and I have OCED (obsessive compulsive election disorder) and I have no idea what I'll do on Nov 5 (other than, hopefully, celebrate!).
I always get involved and care, but this year I care more than ever before. I feel like I'm voting for either the end of the world, or a future filled with "hope!" (And CHANGE!)
Great post-- as always, Erica!
Get this: yesterday I knocked on about 100 doors in South Florida, canvassing for Obama. And you're going to think I'm making this up, but I swear on my life I'm not. One of the doors was opened by a naked woman. OK, she was wearing a micro-mini skirt, but she had nothing on underneath it and was topless. There was a large, hostile-looking dude standing behind her, and another guy hanging out in the living room. A lot of lights. I think they were, um, making a film and perhaps expecting someone else at the door.
Anyway, I said, "Wow. Um, I'm looking for Stephen and Leona."
She smiled 'cause she was obviously enjoying my discomfort -- and I was naturally refusing to give her the satisfaction of looking down. Because I'm like that.
"Not home," she said.
"Well, I'm campaigning for Obama, and we're just making contact with voters this weekend and encouraging people to vote early. If you have any questions about poll times or locations, I'd be happy to help ..." That's right, I went into my election script as if nothing unusual was happening. "Are you voting Obama this year?"
"No," she said and walked away. Her big friend then shut the door ...
Later, at the campaign office, I told them what happened, and a senior campaign from out of state operative laughed. "That's Florida. There's a lot of naked people in Florida."
True story.
JVZ
Already voted, thank God. I expect the lines to be nuts.
Jon, great story. When I was a teenage paperboy I was always hoping...
I can't wait to vote, and I really want Obama to win, but I'll be sad that there will be no more of Tina Fey's Sarah Palin imitations.
I thought about voting early, but I like the whole ritual on voting day.
My grandparents on both sides were from Russia too. Since they were Jewish, I'm guessing they weren't allowed to vote.
Hilarious story, Jon! So McCain is getting the porno vote? Maybe they'll be too busy to vote.
I think it will feel better to vote this year than any other. I would be ashamed if I didn't vote.
I'll vote when kids are in school and people are at work, since I work at home. But with everyone who is out-of-work, I may very well still be in a very long line!
I just can't wait for the political stuff to stop so we can all move on to talking about something else. I never feel more powerless than in an election year. Because stupid always wins.
I voted absentee a couple of weeks ago, and filling out a ballot has never felt more satisfying. I plan to stay up Tuesday night (CNN coverage starts at midnight my time) with popcorn and caffeine and watch the blow-out. And gloat. The eight-year-long nightmare will finally end.
What am I going to blog about after the election? Writing? Yikes!
I am voting - line or no line. I like the process of going to the polls and standing in the little cardboard booth. My wife and I went over the ballot yesterday and decided what to vote. It's wonderful to be with someone who has the same political idealogy. I don't know how my parents did it, except my dad expected mom to vote the same as him and I think she never corrected him to his face.
I wish this would be over on Wednesday, but I'm afraid it'll just be the beginning for me. Here's why.
Some many good things here. I love Alyson's comment about voting for either the end of the world or a future filled with hope, and JVZ's story is hilarious!
I also voted absentee a couple weeks ago and even though it's only one vote, I'm really worried something will get screwed up and it won't count. I NEED my vote to count. Fortunately we're on Central time so I don't have Stephen's late night issue, but I will be glued to the TV all day!
well... i'm hoping that stephen has an early night.
These are historical times, and Obama needs an overwhelming mandate. Because the times, they are a changin'.
Sarah: your issue is an idea whose time has come. In fact it's overdue. Like abolition and suffrage, gay rights will find root in American law and you and your wife will go down as pioneers.
I believe Obama and Biden adopted their anti-gay-marriage stance merely to pander to the center. On one hand it's an act of cowardice, on the other hand it's a ticket to the White House. I wish politics were less sensitive to particular issues. An Obama administration will surely bring us closer to equal rights for everyone. I can't imagine an African American considering any other agenda.
Jude:
If it doesn't go the way I hope, I will grieve for a long time.
And unfortunately, McCain brought that ignorant wench into the forefront. Even if they lose, you will be hearing her shrill, annoying, prejudiced, anti-feminist, anti-choice, anti-freedom voice for a LONG time to come. And I will NEVER forgive McCain for that.
Alyson:
I am hoping that Wednesday, along with withdrawal, I feel hope, too.
E
JVZ:
Um . . . like . . . WOW. What a story!
E
Robin;
Tina has been the lone good thing about that creature being the VP choice of the Geezer.
E
edie:
I never really--not fully--understood what my grandmother went through. She was a very negative sort of person--a very "Russian" personality in that sense. Only NOW, of course, I realized she was part of history, this tragic episode, and all she endured to get here.
E
Amy:
I think I am going to go get on line at dawn just so I am sure I get my vote in,
E
Stephen:
I hadn't thought about that. Your blog has been the best to stir up a little voting controversy. You will have to champion some cause. :-)
E
Sarah:
A powerful post on your blog. I hope the vote goes the way of justice and what's right.
E
Melanie:
I'll be watching until the bitter end.
E
Smart/Richard:
JVZ keeps assuring me it will be an early night. But I am still utterly terrified.
E
We are voting this next weekend also here in New Zealand and we are feeling the need for change but not as much as over your way. We here are following your elections very closely because the outcome also affects us and the rest of the world while our little elections are of no concern to anyone but us.
suzanne:
Our election will have a global ripple effect, I think.
E
I voted last week. Took me ten minutes. I'll be praying for you.
;-)
(But I will be taking my I Voted sticker to Starbucks for a free coffee on Tuesday.)
Erica, chilling story about your family - so very poignant.
And I'm am so gonna get up for the 6:00 a.m. poll opener. There's no way in hell I want to live with Grandpa Munster at the helm. And although I don't live in California, I really pray that things stay the same for Gay Rights. I really hate regression...
Heather:
I am so dreading it. During hte primary, they RAN OUT of ballots. Says a lot about how terrific things run around here, eh?
E
As always, I vote. You should come to the Writing Show. We have a couple ladies from Russia who come every time. Oh and Kelly can bring your books to sell and I can get you to sign mine.
See? That's what I'm talking about. Voting, our rights, our freedoms, these are not things we cannot forget or allow to be taken away from us, whether by weather (eyeroll) or Bush (evil eye) or fear.
There is a reason why people die for these things. I worry about the future of our country, sometimes.
I love how TV has featured gay couples in the popular shows this week. (House, Brothers & Sisters, Starter Wife... a forgotten something else) I doubt it's a coincidence. I can only hope the more people see it's just love, big deal, the less they'll fear it. I don't know.
I'm going to have withdrawals, but I need the time. I'm thinking of going cold turkey on the news for an entire month. I need to get some writing done!
kath:
I worry about the proposition, but hopefully California will vote with equality.
E
Richmond:
LOVE Kelly--she is the best indie in town!
E
spy:
I think people have forgotten . . . voting shouldn't be taken for granted. Every time people do, in particular women, I think they should be forced to read The Handmaid's Tale.
E
I also don't understand people who don't vote. And I think it's important for children to see this. I've taken my two boys every single time I've voted. They're usually a bit rowdy, but the people who work there cover them in stickers and they're okay.
Do other people bring their kids? I've never seen anyone else..
I love your site, Erica! I just learned (from Heather) that you get a free coffee at Starbucks for an "I Voted" sticker. I'm rearranging my day, now.
It's the little things in life. For me, really really little....
I really appreciated this column. I too will vote. I have not missed a time to vote in my 66 years. My prayer for this election is that we don't have people qualified to vote who want to vote who aren't allowed to. In my state (Missouri) in 2004 they closed the polls with people still in line. Many didn't get to vote. I see signs that could happen in a lot of states this year. Some people's lives are such they can't stand in line for hours, either for physical or work reasons (especially in this tight economy). I hope every qualified person who wants to gets to vote.
chris:
I always bring mine. I talk them through the ballot and tell them why I am voting for every single element. However, I have also brought them to Washington, D.C. to march against the war on the Mall there . . . and they have been involved with various political and social ministry elements along with me their whole lives. They have seen me tutor immigrants in English at our kitchen table . . . and have gone to soup kitchens. So for them, they don't think it's odd, I guess.
E
robin:
Free Starbucks? I'm there!
Joe:
A hearty amen to that!!!!
E
I am so nervous I can't bear it. I'm so scared we're going to have Floridas again, only worse. Or maybe I'm scared the election will go to MCain, at which point the fear won't go for four years.
Erica, I'm really glad to have read your post. Over and over, I've been told by many of my Republican friends that if I'm supporting Obama then I'm supporting socialism and that Communism is just lurking around the corner. They point to his tax plan and his health care plan. I thought I had to be missing something because, according to the non-partisan sites I've read, it is not socialism. In fact, his tax plan is supposedly putting back in place those taxes under the Clinton Administration that Bush took away. I've never seen so many people, so many intelligent and well-educated people, be taken in by the spin and false rhetoric. I point them to factcheck.org and other non-partisan sites to get the facts and make up their own minds instead of letting the media or do it for them. Whatever candidate you vote for, do it because you believe in their message and plan, not because of misleading claims.
j.t.:
Amen to that. I spend a lot of time very carefully explaining policy to my kids. Believe me, Baby Girl came home one day and said a friend told her that Obama WANTS to KILL babies. Did I WANT to have a frank discussion of abortion with my 10-year-old? Not particularly, but I did. I was able to tell her personal experiences of my own when I was very ill and sometimes it looked like it was either me or the baby . . . and thank GOD, it all turned out OK, but my beliefs stem from the reality of my life and the lives of friends. I want my children to be very educated on policy, not just fear.
E
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