Monday, November 5, 2012

...Sweet Land of Liberty...

Election day is only hours away for our country.  More than any other election that I have ever voted in, I feel this one, will be the most important one in my life.  Why? Because the world is in turmoil.  There is unrest and the masses are not only restless, but downright hateful as well.  What? It's true.  One only has to scroll down my Facebook news feed to see the spite and mud slings being flung about.  Friends and family alike are taking things to the personal level and tempers are flaring. Or watch the local news and/or CNN or the Internet.  I wish it was already Wednesday morning, so I could un-hide all of the people I've hidden on Facebook or purposely avoided during this election year.  It's not that I don't like a good political debate among friends, I do.  What I don't like and  have a problem with is the ignorance and downright idiotic things that these people (some who are close friends and/or family) spew.  It's like arguing with a child.   Example:  "I think my picture is better than your picture."  "Uh uh, MY picture is better than yours!", "You better take that back and like my picture best!",  "No you take it back and like MINE the best!" ----and on and on and on.  Yeah, that's what it's like with some of the people that I know.  They argue for the sake of arguing, offering no objectives, no proof, nothing to substantiate their beliefs or their arguments.  But I digress.  The purpose of tonight's blog was merely supposed to express how emotional I am about this particular election.  It's a scary world out there people.  Everyone needs to do their part and vote.  If you aren't voting, and are registered, why the hell not??? If you aren't registered, why the hell aren't you???  One of my  coworkers, is a twenty-nine year old single woman.  She's an American citizen, born and raised here in Houston.  She has NEVER voted in any election.  EVER.  ----Can you explain that to me???  I was beside myself when she told me.  We were discussing how some employees were going to be late tomorrow or leave early from work, in order to go vote.  I offered to cover the employees during lunch time, so they could have a chance to go and do their civic duty.  (I early voted last week)  Well, she turns to me and says she will not be late because she will not be voting.  She's not registered, never has been and probably never will be.  -Her words verbatim.  Her reasons were poor excuses.  "My vote won't count anyway",  "Nothing is going to change", "I don't care"  That one bothered me the most.  "I-DON'T-CARE"  
-and therein lies the problem with our country.  Most people, "don't care".  I collected my thoughts and took a lot of deep breaths, before poking her in the eye smiling at her and saying, "Cool.  So you'll be here on time then?"  and walked away.

I'll be frank with you, politics bore the hell out of me.  But I live in a country that is free and great and strong.  Maybe we're a little broken right now.  But certainly not shattered.  Not dead.  If we don't participate, who will?  This is why I vote.  This is why I encourage every American to vote, regardless of your political stance.

That same coworker later asked me, "How can you care so much?"  to which I retorted, "How can you not?"    




9 comments:

Don said...

Our polls open at 7, but I plan on being there at 6 because I expect a large turnout and don't want to be in line for a long time. So I'll load my wheelchair onto my pickup truck in order to have a way to sit while I wait, hopefully near the front of the line.

Random Girl said...

I don't get the apathy either. Sure it's frustrating and it can be overwhelming to think that your vote can actually make a difference but if you have an opinion, at least earn it by being informed and voting. The level of venom has been sickening on all sides this year, local and national, and I hope that when push comes to shove...someone can just get something positive done!

David Batista said...

Very, very good post, Yvonne! I agree completely. I vote not because I think I will make a difference, but because too many people fought and died for my right to do so. Voting is my way of honoring their sacrifice, and of showing that I, too, am an American who is proud of his country.

That's why I vote.

Kelli Hale said...

This is the first time I've taken the initiative to get out and cast my vote. I've always been registered since I was able, and way back in 2008 I stood in line but never made it to the voting machine. This year IS different. I don't know why, but it is. A lot of people seem to feel that way hopefully it sticks for future elections as well! Great post!

Slyde said...

i voted for YOU...

Yvonne said...

Don - Hope you didn't wait too long.

RG- High five sister! That's what I'm hoping for as well.

David- Thank you kind sir. I totally agree. Men and women sacrificed their lives so that we can have our freedom. Why wouldn't we exercise that right?

Kelli- Thank you. Well, I'm glad you voted this time. And yes, hopefully, you'll vote in many more elections to come. :)

Slyde- Ha! Great, one vote down, a billion more to go. I GOT this!

ISRAEL CARRASCO said...

Well I think you're starting your campaign for Congress

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That's a great retort.

It IS nice not to have to hide any more political endorsements that pop up on my FB page.

Be well, Yvonne.
xoRobyn

Yvonne said...

Israel- WHATEVERS! ha! You can be my campaign manager though, if I ran!

Robyn- I know! People were getting out of hand. Still are, actually.

Chapter 56

The sunlight peeping through the curtains, stir her from her sleep.  Her eyes open and she rubs them a bit before sitting up in bed.  Eyes n...