10.22.2008

Vote This!

So, I participated in the election by early voting on Monday. I found the experience very easy and quick, which was nice. Since this was my first time, I didn't know what to expect.

I have a memory from childhood that's been popping up. I was going with my mother to vote at the local elementary school. I don't even know if I was old enough to be attending that school, so I must have been 4 or 5 years old at the time. I remember asking her who she was voting for. She said, "Gerald Ford." When I repeated his name in a moderately-loud voice, she got all bent out of shape and threatened to leave me in the car if I couldn't be quiet. I never understood her attitude until recently.

I have found out that it's not shame that motivates such secrecy (I really thought Mom was ashamed to be voting for Ford), but self-preservation. I have had a couple of people inquire who I was voting for, just to get all pissed off when I told them. Hey - don't ask if you are gonna get mad if I tell you what you don't want to hear. And please don't try to "convert" me to your candidate. I do see the merits (and mostly evils) of both candidates - I made my choice after researching the major issues and seeing who I mostly agreed with.

I really don't want to regret registering and voting.

3 comments:

cjm said...

I'm so proud of you, you American! I'm just glad you voted. I may check out this early voting thing, too. That way I'll have done it all three ways at some point--day of, early, and via mail. Woohoo! It's a strange but exciting time.

Anonymous said...

I voted early too. 30 minute line. It was okay. I felt....at the bottom of a well I can yell from and no one with intelligence hears.

Anonymous said...

Come in Chicago....

I really don't know what that means, but it sounds cool, and you must have gotten your cable back by now.