I was inspired by you, Kacy. I voted today. Well, OK not today. In Oregon, we vote by mail - everyone votes by mail, so there really are no polls. It is great for its convenience (I voted for last Friday in my PJs on the couch with my wife) but not so great in the sense that there is no sense of showing up to be counted and no free sticker that entitles you to free donuts and free hot chocolate at various places. Bummer. Originally the plan was to have the voting be a family activity and talk about why we vote and teach the kids about civic duty. Then the kids were hellions that day and went to bed early and we were exhausted and I am sure I ate something fattening and then we watched the Amazing Race. Its all part of the primrose path, my friends..But I voted. And I voted for Obama. I like his message of hope and change. And I really believe (if he wins) that there is some truth in there and that it won't just turn out to be political rhetoric. I like his stance on health care, and on education and the environment. This is the first election I have really been informed in, and I loved it. I like feeling like I am part of something.
I feel like in our PC world, sometimes we feel like we can't say who we are voting for. Because that would encourage discussion, which might lead to debate, which would lead to contention and woosh there goes the spirit. But isn't politics all about discussion and debating and challenging ideas? I was afraid to tell my mom who I was voting for for fear of the debate that would ensue. Then lo and behold, she is an Obama supporter too!
So vote, if you haven't. And if you did, be proud of it. And talk about it. And ask other voters why they voted. Toby Ziegler always says that decisions are made by those who show up. So go show up, already.
Note: Most of my political understanding is shaped by Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler, and sometimes Sam Seaborne. So sue me.
6 comments:
Josh - Me too...but really more Leo McGarry. I love him. And I love voting...in my pajamas.
Oh. Leo! How could I not mention Leo. I think my opinions were also shaped by Mrs. Landingham, but those were another type of opinion entirely.
And don't you feel like we are living the series finale of the West Wing tonight! I probably would have voted for Matt Santos if I could have.
I, personally, love it when real life is as good as TV. It's rare. But it happened twice tonight: John McCain's class-act concession speech could have TOTALLY been written by Toby and of course, Obama as the president elect--Yes we can.
I read this just after writing the first post on my new blog. Thanks for your views and I hope we can still be friends.
Can you believe that we now live in a completely different world (if only symbolically)?
I totally know what you mean, about being nervous to discuss your political views (esp. with family; esp. regarding Prop 8). Patrick and his mom have this great back and forth lively political discussion, and at the end, everyone's the better for it. I'm just too scared to trust a conversation with my loved ones would go the same way. But, I ought to take a page from you and try it...maybe I'll be surprised.
~L
Well I was referred over to this funny blog by Tookie (why that is her name I don't know). I am already laughing when you called your kids hellions, I forgot about that word, you didn't disappoint.
Post a Comment