Okay, folks. I am in a quandary. During my morning walk, I gave a lot of thought to the voting issue. It isn't a question of who to vote for or which principles should be a part of the individual's platform. I'm clear on all that.
In California, there are several fairly substantial ballot issues that do need every single eligible voter to go to the poll and take a stand. The governor is only the most obvious. Aaaahnold has got to go!
Here's the issue: I have always felt disenfranchised from this system. It has been many, many years since I've believed this is an actual democracy. And, even if it is, what if the majority is wrong, influenced by television ads and the thousands of robocalls that have come in over the past week? The majority is not always right.
I am in a bit of an ethical dilemma here because, on one hand, I am still here in California and probably should make the effort to vote. On the other, can I really place a vote for those whom I believe to be only the lesser of the evils and whose positions on the majority of issues I do not agree? Can I compromise my own ethics to that degree?
I am not a targeted demographic. The candidates are not all that interested in my vote. I'm over 50, disabled and poor. Regardless of how I view my own life (in which only the first segment of that description fits), that is how I am viewed by the culture. Is there any candidate who truly represents the poor and disabled? No. Absolutely not. We, along with the elderly and minorities, are quite disposable. Not quite worthy of protection or much attention.
For years and years, we've heard a lot of lip service given to the issues of this part of the population but nothing of substance. This is a system designed to protect the rich. If the past six years haven't proven that, I don't know what it will take. A return to blatant feudalism?
With that knowledge, the committee member on Shoulder Left says "do it. Vote. Someone has to take a stand and, for now, you have the right to do so. Every progressive should get off his or her ass and make sure our voice is heard." The committee member on Shoulder Right says, "sit it out. There is no sense in pretending something is what it is not. Just lay low, mind your own business and leave that to those who are active participants in the culture and way of life. Don't be a hypocrite."
The dog is walked, I'm settled in for the day and I have an answer. I think.
Anyone have any particular thoughts on this? Should I vote.. or sit it out? What are your plans? I'll elaborate on my (sort of finally made) decision tomorrow.
Peace all,
Thailand Gal
~*~*~
Monday, November 06, 2006
To vote or not to vote....
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15 comments:
Of course, you should vote! I'm not wild about our Governor, but I am voting for him because Angelides hasn't really given me a good reason to vote for him. Arnold, (and I'm so NOT a Republican!) did get the state's budget balanced and on time! And he's done his t'shuva for his expensive initiative campaign that failed last election! I do encourage you to vote NO on Prop. 85. I'm strongly PRO-CHOICE and this is very important to me. Lastly, please vote for STeve Poizner for Insurance Commissioner. He's a great guy and a friend. His opponent is a buffoon. It's very important to vote, if you believe in democracy. I'm ever thankful for the opportunity to exercise my right to vote. I've voted in every election since I've been "of age." I encourage everyone to vote. My Congresswoman and my Senator also deserve my vote for the wonderful jobs they've done in Congress. VOTE. It makes a difference!
Helene
I feel disenfranchised from the system, but I vote because it helps us all take baby steps in the right direction. Maybe it depends on what will come from your vote. Will you voting allow things to get better in the world in any small way? If so, then vote.
WELL PRO CHOICE SEEMS SOMETHING WORTH VOTING ABOUT. I AM 68 YEARS OLD AND NEEDLESS TO SAY I WONT HAVE TO HAVE ABORTION AND WHEN I WAS YOUNG I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE HAD ONE BUT AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T THINK I SHOULD STAND IN THE WAY OF SOMEONE WHO DOES NEED OR WANT ONE. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG WOMAN ABORTION WAS NOT LEGAL AND WOMEN WENT TO BACK STREET HACKS AND HAD THEM ANYWAY. WHAT ALWAYS AMAZED ME ABOUT THE ANTI ABORTION PEOPLE THEY SAY IT IS MURDER, MAY BE I DON'T KNOW BUT THE SAME PEOPLE WILL AGRUE IT IS OK IN THE CASE OF RAPE OR INCEST.THERE ARE PASSAGES IN THE BIBLE THAT TEACHES THAT BIRTH CONTROL IS SIN SO IF IT IS I WAS GUILTY WHEN I WAS SEXUAL ACTIVE SO MAY THE LORD FOR GIVE THIS SIN AS MANY OTHER SINS I HAVE DONE.ANYWAY IF SOME YOUNG WOMAN WANTS AN ABORTION I DON'T THINK IT IS MY PLACE TO STOP HER. LET THAT BE BETWEEN HER AND HER MAKER.MY MOTHER WHO WAS BORN IN 1921 TOLD ME ABOUT WOMEN USING COAT HANGER TO ABORT THEM SELVES. I DON'T WANT US TO GO BACK TO THAT.
Yes you should vote. Even though you are "over 50, disabled and poor" you are not stupid and so your opinion is a good one and counts as much as the under 30, able bodied and rich.
Cheers!
I agree with Meno and the others, you should vote. I am over 60, disabled and poor but still think I should have my say. That way I can bitch without hypocracy. Pro-choice is one good reason, and there are others.
Re: the lack of attention to the disabled. It is sad and an important issue, at least it is in my state where there are families on welfare with perfectly healthy adults not willing to work who receive more help than those of us who want to work but cannot.
Your opinions are important...
sweets,
if for no other reason, vote YES on 1C for me (and all the thousands of homeless folks we can help in CA if it passes)
peace
I'm thinking if everyone who wonders it they should vote does vote a difference would be made.
We're in a very red state that may just go blue this time. Because I voted and my husband voted and a whole lot of others like us.
We may not prevail but we'll have put the fear of God into them and that is at least a beginning.
i just read all of your past post. i found them very interesting. so no matter if you vote or not keep posting for me. i also realized you live in sactromento. i lived there for 5 years in the 60's. i love the place. we lived off north gate on wilson ave. do you have any idea where that is?
I always figure that I'd hate to not have the opportunity to vote. Enough "me's" have some sort of voice.
I just moved to Tennessee, so I can't vote here. If I could, I would vote for Harold Ford. By the time the presidential election rolls around, I'll be allowed to cast a vote, so I will. If you don't see a reason to vote, then don't. Whether our vote counts (and believe me when i voted in Florida in 2000 and 2004, I realized my vote did not count), it's how you feel inside. Like being a conscientious objector during the Viet Nam War,most of those who didn't believe in the War, left the country or served prison time or alternative service. You don't sound like you will have any guilt either way, and you could feel guilty by casting a vote as much as not. Have I made any sense?
Yes, please vote! I agree that it is disheartening and I, too, am one of the "poor, older ones" but I have hope. I have never seen our country as it is now and would like to "t'row da bums out" but that's not realistic...so I vote and pray. Every voice counts.
I think you should vote, even if you can make only a small difference it's better than making no difference at all. MHO
When discerning between action or non-action, I now ask myself one simple question: Which choice will I not look back on and regret?
For me at this stage of life (I'm 64), I generally regret my non-actions more than my actions.
But for each of us, the answer is our own.
Proudly pro-life. Talk about caring about the weak and helpless. Let's start at the beginning!
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