It’s Election Day 2008. All the buzz on twitter and everywhere else is about who’s voting for whom and who wants which candidate to win. For someone who’s seen a lot of elections in his livetime, it’s actually quite inspiring to read about the turnout this year. Peaople are fired up. People want to be heard. There’s almost a party atmosphere going on. It’s a good year to be an American.
So what are we doing tonight? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I’m sure I’ll hear from someone about who’s forecast to be the winner before the evening is out. I’m sure if most of my online friends don’t get the answer they’re expecting, I’ll hear it from my living room, the shrieking will be terrible. But all-in-all the outcome doesn’t really affect me.
At the end of this I’ll still be a writer, a blogger and a father. The economy will still be in bad shape and regardless of who wins, my wife and my friends will still be out cleaning up their messes. I’ll still be at home supporting our military as I always have. She’ll still be watching any news she can get on foreigh policy so she knows when – or if – she needs to be ready to deploy. In short, life goes on.
I’m a cynic. I don’t think things will change all that rapidly regardless of who goes in to office. The reality is that Washington is a beast that’s mired in red tape and to affect any real change is going to be a monumental undertaking. People tend to forget that. People tend to forget that some of the positives of every presidency are because of programs the last guys got in motion. All they do is steward these projects and then take the credit.
I’m not going to tell you what side I’m on. My friends know already, acquaintances don’t need to know. The fact of the matter is, I’m not voting so it doesn’t matter anyway. My voice will no be heard. I would have preferred the Governator, or perhaps Ozzy Osbourne or maybe Bill Gates. Someone who might stand a chance of affecting real and rapid change, if for no other reason than they just aren’t versed well enough in politics to be polite.
In the end, i wish you all good luck with your choices. I wish us ALL prosperity over the next four years adn I hope the next yahoo in office doesn’t get my wife killed before she can retire.
As for me. I’m making a pork roast and some potato soup. Tonight I’m watching Food Network, Fine Living or HGTV. I am turning into an ostrich and burying my head as firmly in the sand as possible. I’m tired of hearing about the wole thing.
Wake me whe it’s over.
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Category : Personal Ramblings
I am so with you on this. And not just because I can;t vote. We need to look at the bigger picture and where the power really is. The presidency is really just a figurehead. I too will be sitting on the couch but I will be ticked off because all TV shows will be preempted due to the election!
Thanks for taking the time to state your opinion. I appreciate that. Being one who was put as a newbie manager into yet another enormous system forever tied up in red tape and desperately in need of change, I absolutely know and understand that it takes quite an effort to effect change and change attitudes. But I also know that a leader’s attitude and vision is everything. Without that, nothing will change. Ever. Humans are very resistant to change because it forces them to think about things that they’re not comfortable with. I equate it with that first huge drop on a roller coaster. And I embrace it because I’ve learned that there are others who, although not strong enough to lead, are desperate for someone who is. Having “led” myself until the naysayers and fearmongers were more than I cared to tolerate any longer, I excused myself so that someone else could take their turn. The work was exhausting, and the next Grand Pubah that came systematically tore down everything that had been built. It was a sad, demoralizing, and exceedingly costly move for many, many people. Now, I, too look forward to cooking, chatting with great people like you who also love to cook, and stick my head in the sand when it comes to anything having to do with public education. I just can’t deal with it any more. But my children have all finished — nearly. Only two years left, thankfully. But I’m planning on being an American until I die, so I figure since I’m done having the life sucked out of me by the Ed System, I can turn my sights on Government. The pen is mightier than the sword, right? Heh.
Some of the most passionate & creative people have be sucked dry of their gifts by naysayers & fear mongers.
Well, as long as you’re not watching election returns — and speaking of the buzz on Twitter, allow me to recommend a cool site?
It’s one I’ve got a hand in: http://www.anorangeamerica.com — live data visualization of words being used in connection with “Obama” and “McCain”, showing frequency and connections. Should be more informative than watching cable news…
I should have stuck my head in the sand. No, I sat and ate pizza with my kids and husband and was forced to listen to ABC to hear who was in the lead and who got what vote and when. The system is broken. It has been for years. No real change is ever made. The politicians really just move the preverbal food around the plate like the little kid who wants to hide his vegetables so mom and dad don’t see. Every office, Congress, the House, and the like, fight each other and nothing real happens. Really, it’s all just a bunch of crap. And I can Bi..ch because I did vote. So take this as me B(*^ing.
So, other than that, Food is always better when shared, so here’s to you, may all your meals be enjoyed to their fullest and with many friends.