It's finally here. The fateful Election Day. I can't even begin to express how thankful I am that this day is almost over! Yes, I did my civic duty and mailed in my absentee ballot last week. However, I think you'll be hard-pressed to meet someone as unenthusiastic about politics as myself. I'm completely and utterly cynical. Of course, like everyone else, I have my opinions and ideals about the way things should be, but unlike so many people I feel that our bipartisan democracy setup provides to be utterly useless in getting these opinions heard. Despite what they've attempted to brainwash us with since kindergarten and before, my vote counts very little. Furthermore, there is yet to exist a candidate that I actually want to vote for.
I hate our entire system. Neither candidate is going to do all of the amazing thing they claim to be able to. Neither candidate is truly interested purely in seeing our country be the best it can be. All candidates, on some level, are interested in their own personal gain. Beyond the control of the candidates is the other bodies in our government like the Senate and House of Representatives. Remember the standoffs this past year simply because two political parties were too stubborn and stuck in their own agendas to come to an agreement and actually help the American people? I'm not sure of the implications of that infamous argument for the general public, but for us, as our income comes directly from the government because of my husband's military status, we were looking at the possibility of not getting paid for an indefinite period of time. Being young and fairly new at the marriage thing, we didn't have much saved up as a safety net and we wouldn't have been able to survive past one missing paycheck without asking for help from family or piling the expenses onto our credit card.
As I sat with my blank ballot I just shook my head thinking, "I don't wan to vote for any of these people" and things as juvenile and simple as "Can't we all just get along?!" But I did vote. Do not ask me who I voted for, because the undoubtedly leads to my having to defend myself and honestly, I don't have to.
And that's another thing.
People yelled at me when I said I didn't know if I would even vote. They told me I needed to fulfill my civic duty, that women fought hard for my right to vote, that I needed to get my voice heard. (Sidebar - I absolutely appreciate, respect and am thankful for those women who did indeed fight long and hard for my right to go to the polls, so please don't get me wrong on that point!) I had to defend my point of view to them. People yelled at me when I voiced my opinion about who I thought I may vote for. Who knew an opinion could be wrong? That in a country where it is our freedom to vote for whomever we choose, that there is actually a right and a wrong party to vote for? And again I was defending myself. Posting a bagillion Facebook statuses and political ads bashing a particular candidate and making another seem absolutely angelic will not sway my position. If you're yelling at me that I need to vote and I do, then don't yell at me for my choice.
So needless to say, I am very anxiously awaiting tomorrow. Not because I am excited to have another great four years of Obama, or because I'm rooting hardcore for all the amazing things Romney will do for us, but because it will be
over.
End rant.
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