Mamacita says:
1. Change your clocks.
2. Put new batteries in all your smoke alarms and clocks.
3. Remind yourself to vote on Tuesday.
4. Remind your spouse/partner/roommate/POSSLQ/whatever to vote on Tuesday.
5. Remind your neighbors to vote on Tuesday.
6. Remind your co-workers to vote on Tuesday.
7. Go into the voting booth with a positive attitude. Voting is a right, and the very fact that Americans HAVE rights is a privilege indeed.
8. Remember, people who choose not to vote forfeit all whining rights for four years. No vote = no whine.
9. In fact, whenever someone tries to talk about politics, interrupt them and ask them if they voted. If they say “Well, no, but. . . .” tell them to shut up. Shake your head sadly while you do it. If someone doesn’t vote, his/her opinion has no credibility. None. Zip. Zero. Nil. Nada.
10. Don’t forget to vote. The fate of the universe is in our hands; let us not fail to take that responsibility seriously.
11. Don’t get all huffy when you’re asked for ID at the polls. People are cheating all over the place, and it’s just a little thing to make sure you’re who you say you are. I know you’re honest, but some people aren’t. You don’t mind showing the WalMart cashier your photo ID, and this is a much bigger deal than that.
12. After you vote, feel proud, and feel privileged. Other countries’ citizens would give a kidney to be allowed to vote for their leaders. Even if neither candidate is exactly what you would have wished for, you still need to vote. Don’t let other people make these decisions for you. Get out there and let your voice be heard, even if it’s only by pushing a few buttons. Big things happen sometimes when the right buttons are pushed.
I just now got around to looking at this post, and I agree with everything (of course). I also believe that if you can’t bother to send in a ballot or get up off the couch and wait in line for a while to vote, you don’t get to whine. I voted. So now I get to whine….when it’s appropriate. I believe we all should get behind our president, no matter which party, and then (with manners) disagree when we feel he’s not doing what we think is right for the country. Every new president gets a chance to prove he or she is what they said they would be. So we will see…..this time it will be different because hopefully we won’t hear those hateful words “He’s not MY president.” That’s never helpful and it’s downright mean.
I just now got around to looking at this post, and I agree with everything (of course). I also believe that if you can’t bother to send in a ballot or get up off the couch and wait in line for a while to vote, you don’t get to whine. I voted. So now I get to whine….when it’s appropriate. I believe we all should get behind our president, no matter which party, and then (with manners) disagree when we feel he’s not doing what we think is right for the country. Every new president gets a chance to prove he or she is what they said they would be. So we will see…..this time it will be different because hopefully we won’t hear those hateful words “He’s not MY president.” That’s never helpful and it’s downright mean.
Can I add a reminder that this election isn’t just about who becomes President, although that’s clearly top of mind?
Even on my “not within the city limits so you can’t vote for any local candidates or isssues” ballot, there are four school board races, one State Assembly Member race, a race for Congress, and 12 state propositions to be decided. Each of these races will have a far more profound effect on my daily life than the President and yet so few people bother to cast votes all the way down the ballot. I know it takes a little more effort to read up on all of these questions, but that’s part of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of voting (in my humble opinion).
(Sorry to haul my soapbox out in your comments, Mamacita, but it just sort of came out.)
Can I add a reminder that this election isn’t just about who becomes President, although that’s clearly top of mind?
Even on my “not within the city limits so you can’t vote for any local candidates or isssues” ballot, there are four school board races, one State Assembly Member race, a race for Congress, and 12 state propositions to be decided. Each of these races will have a far more profound effect on my daily life than the President and yet so few people bother to cast votes all the way down the ballot. I know it takes a little more effort to read up on all of these questions, but that’s part of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of voting (in my humble opinion).
(Sorry to haul my soapbox out in your comments, Mamacita, but it just sort of came out.)
Thanks to early voting, I now have whining rights! LOL
Thanks to early voting, I now have whining rights! LOL
Mine went in the mail! Done done done.
Mine went in the mail! Done done done.