Well, next Tuesday is the Big Day - I'm just writing this to remind everybody to get out there and exercise your franchise.
I remember voting even as a little girl. My mother used to bring me into the voting booth with her and hold me up and let me put "X"s on the ballots. Of course, she showed me where to put the "X"s, but it was good training for me as a grown-up. I never miss an election. even those pooky little in-between elections where you're voting on a school bond or a highway proposal.
Last week, my literacy student asked me if I was going to vote, and if so, who I would be voting for, so I told him. I then asked my pupil if he planned on voting, and he said that of course he was - just like me, he never missed an election. Wow, we're kenzoku-myo! We have similar diehard voting karma.
"Well, how do you vote, if you can't read the ballot?" I asked. He told me that he would have a family member read the voter's guide to him at home, and that then, at the poll, he would just grab a poll worker and have the poll worker read the ballot to him.
Now that's dedication!
Take your cue from my wonderful hero and student - go out to your polling place this coming week (if you're in a Super Tuesday state), and exercise your right to vote!
Be informed, be heard, be cool,
Byrd in LA
Posted by wahzoh at February 1, 2008 12:33 PMWow! Are we sure our mothers weren't separated at birth? My mom did the same thing with me.
I remember waiting for hours and hours in line and then going into the voting booth with her. Back then in Arizona, they had actual voting booths that had curtains on them.
I wish everyone were as dedicated as your student. There seems to be more enthusiasm this election cycle, especially among the young, who traditionally fail to vote. I'm hoping they will get out and vote this year.
Let's also make our "decline-to-state" friends aware that, if they wish to vote for a presidential candidate, they can do so by requesting a Democratic ballot. The Democratic Primary is "open" this year, whereas the Republican Primary is not. If you are "decline-to-state" and don't request a Democratic ballot, you'll only be able to vote on the propositions, not on a presidential candidate.
Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP9lDAxMZpk
Posted by: Michele at February 1, 2008 01:01 PMCorrect to above - the info about decline-to-state voters is for the State of California only.
Posted by: Michele at February 1, 2008 01:04 PMSince they don't have the primaries all on the same day anyone I would have any interest in voting for is no longer running. The Democrats choice is between two candidates who won't be able to win in November, and the Republicans almost have to choose MCain. I can't understand why you are excited. This may be the year I finally stop voting and I've never missed a primary or an election my whole life. I am also not convinced the votes are counted properly in fact I'm almost sure they aren't.
ch
Do you think it's possible that Barack brings in enough young people to win in "red" states? Do you think a lot of disenchanted republicans will sit this one out? Maybe Obama will win. Now if I could just get over the idea that the trans-dimensional reptilian aliens will be telling him what to do maybe I could get excited myself.
ch
Sorry for posting so many times. I should not have said trans-dimensional reptilian aliens. I should have said the devil king of the sixth heaven and his minions.
ch