I voted last week, thanks to the mail-in ballot system here.
Filling out the ballot felt… well, historic. Pretty amazing. And for the first time in a long time, I feel hope for the outcome instead of dread.
Here in Washington, we are also voting whether to allow doctors to prescribe lethal drug doses for terminally ill people who want to die; we are choosing a governor and a couple other state executives, as well as judges and representatives; and we’re talking about transportation, traffic congestion and parks.
Have you voted? How do you feel? And what other things is your community deciding today?
I voted (wouldn’t miss it — I have always voted since I first became eligible in 1969), and I feel crummy. Why? Because I voted for a candidate who wants to continue the U.S. occupation of Iraq; wants to increase the size of the army; wants to escalate the conflict in Afghanistan; would like to attack Iran and Pakistan and who knows where else; promises to continue the embargo against Cuba and badmouths popular democratic movements elsewhere in Latin America; agrees that Social Security is in crisis and probably will try to privatize it if elected; has no solution to America’s healthcare problems except more corporate subsidies; talks about extending offshore drilling and nuclear power; voted for the renewal of the Patriot Act and of telecom immunity under FISA; voted for the Bush-Paulson giveaway, and still professes his faith in “free markets” and “free trade.”
I considered writing in Eugene Victor Debs, but chickened out. I’m more brainwashed than I like to admit.
I voted this morning at 6:00 am, there were a number of people on line which was wonderful. I believe that this is an historic moment and I am elated to see people participating in their right to choose.
I feel optimistic and hopeful, I am glad the campaign rhetoric will finally cease. The process by which we elect a President is flawed but it is one we have to live. As far as I am concerned tomorrow is day one, I don’t take to heart to many things that are said during the campaign. I know that managing the media and controlling the message are all part and parcel to gaining higher office. I have no idea what kind of President Barack Obama will be. I do think he is smart and I am confident that he will surround himself with an intelligent and thoughtful administration. For the first time in a long time I feel positive about the future and about my country.
The polls here open at 7, and I was in line. It rained last night and into the early am, so everything was still wet and glistening. The clouds were breaking up and the morning sun was golden – moving across the mountains behind us. There were some low clouds still hanging in the valleys, and there was a nip in the air. In short it was a beautiful morning. The kind of morning with hope and promise in the air.
And I voted for the first serious African American for presidential candidate. He’s not perfect, but he’s not horrible either. I believe that is a sign of progress for this country.
There were 15 or 16 ballot measures to vote on as well. Prop 8 has been widely publicized. I think it is going to be very close, but my feeling is that it will lose. I hope.
There was a lesser known prop about abortion as well. It has to do with minors and parental approval. I think it will be a bad thing for women’s rights if it passes, but it’s likely to pass I think.
The other stuff was mostly bond measures for one thing or another. A lot of them are very complicated, and purposely misleading. I voted no on most of them simply because CA has no money right now and can’t afford it. Some of them I wanted to vote yes on (environmental and traffic stuff), but I thought the solutions to real problems were not good solutions.
And one thing on ethical treatment of animals destined for food. Less time in cages, etc.
I can’t say that I thought there was much there that will change things for the better, but I felt good about it. It felt good to vote. Good to be there with other people who gave a damn. Who cared enough to get up a little earlier and go stand in line and do their small part.
Then I stopped by Starbucks for some tea. There was another huge line because Starbucks is giving away coffee today.
I felt a sense of comaraderie. Surprised me. For some reason the U2 song “Beautiful Day” kept going through my mind.
Some heated politicking here in WA, yeah? I so want to see that lying skeeze Reichert go down…
The toughest call, I thought, was the assisted suicide initiative. No good choice there.
Thank you all very much!