for next time

VOTE FOR NOBODY

Nobody will keep election promises.
Nobody will listen to your concerns.
Nobody will help the poor and unemployed.
Nobody cares.
If nobody is elected, things will be better for everyone.

NOBODY TELLS THE TRUTH

( read on a wall--author unknown )

elections

     We are about to have another presidential election. Every four years we elect another president, or the same president to a second term. Although we don't all vote for the same candidate, the person who is elected becomes everyone's president. Even if you voted for the other guy. Even if you didn't vote at all. So let's have no more of "don't blame me, I voted for the other guy", or "don't blame me, I don't vote". Whatever the outcome of an election we all did it. That's right, all of us. If you had really wanted the "other guy" to win, you could have campaigned/volunteered/blogged/worked him into the White House. If you didn't vote at all, we can assume that you are pretty well satisfied with whoever is elected. Silence means consent. The number of people who don't vote at all is large enough to win almost any election. So no excuses.

back in the day

     If you think politics is a dirty business now, remember that the bars and taverns used to be closed on election day. This wasn't to prevent drunken voting, but to stop election workers who had been buying votes with free drinks, every November.

your polling place

     Something that is apparently not explained clearly enough at election time--you may only vote in your designated polling place. You may not vote at any other polling place. Your polling place, if you live in the city, is probably located very close to your home. The election workers there have a roll of all the registered voters in their voting district--if you're not on it, you will not be able to vote. This happened to me once, during a presidential election. We had recently moved, and  had sent in the change of address forms. One got returned in time, one didn't.
     We pay more attention to presidential elections, but all elections are local. Your neighbors in the next block may be voting for a different set of candidates for city or town council. Although all city council members work for the city, your local representative works for your district, and is elected by the voters in your district. It wouldn't be fair to try to "crash" the election in the voting district next to yours. It wouldn't be fair to the people running and voting in the local election there, and it wouldn't be fair to you, since you wouldn't be able to vote for your choice of representative in your own district.
     If you are not sure where your polling place is, but have noticed a polling place--perhaps you pass one on the way to work--stop and ask for their help. Or call/visit the League of Women Voters, or the local headquarters of one of the political parties--democratic or republican--either one will help you find your polling place.