Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Aftermath of Super Tuesday

Bad officials are elected by good citizens
who do not vote. ~ George Jean Nathan

I spent the afternoon yesterday volunteering at a polling place. It was an interesting experience, and one I'll likely do again during the general election this November. I like meeting people who vote. I strongly believe in the power of voting, so it was great to interact with others who feel the same.

I was assigned the task of handing people their ballot, and explaining to them the process for completing it. This meant, of course, that I knew which party people were voting. So I began playing a little game with myself as people walked in the door: could I pick out a Republican or a Democrat, based on appearance?

Turns out, you can't. Those who I thought looked conservative to me would ask for a Democratic ballet; those who I pegged as liberals would ask for a Republican ballet. I was wrong a much of the time -- and isn't that a good thing!

There is a great deal of political cynicism in our country today, and I feel that if you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain about how our country is run. Vote for the Republicans; Vote for the Democrats; Vote for the Purple People Eater. It doesn't matter, as long as you exercise your right and privilege to vote!

My name is Pattie, and I approved this ad. :-)


Until next time...

4 comments:

Littleladyhead said...

I agree 100% with you on the "If you don't vote, you don't get to complain!"
I agree you can never tell by looking at people which way they would vote.
I had a few friends that I assumed thought the same as me surprise me and vote the other direction. I just kept my mouth shut because, well, we are friends ha ha.
I've learned Religion and Politics can start some major arguments!
Have a super week!
Monica

Diana Swallow said...

I voted!! But I don't discuss politics on my blog, except for complaining about the health care system!

Holly said...

I agree with you about the importance of voting! I'm in Canada but we're having a provincial election and I'm finding it incredibly interesting to be involved first hand with how an election works.

Anonymous said...

You're talking my language, Pattie. I can remember as a young adult, giving my grandfather and mother a huge bit of attitude as they were complaining about the state of our nation. I asked them (probably quite rudely) if they had voted in the last election, knowing full well they hadn't, and then told them that if they didn't vote, they didn't have the right to an opinion. It's embarrasing that my mother has never ever voted - I just don't understand it.

Even though I live in another country right now, I will be voting absentee....it's my duty as a citizen.

Oh, and enjoy your quilting class! I was getting back to my quilting today but my machine is on the fritz so I pulled out the knitting needles instead.