Political Physics: The You Factor
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A blogumn by Monique King-Viehland
Just Vote!
We’ve discussed a lot of different things over the past few weeks from Sarah Palin to the Gas Tax Plan to Michelle Obama to The Bailout Plan. But you know what? None of that matters as much as what happens next Tuesday. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican doesn’t matter. Whether you’re a conservative or a liberal doesn’t matter. Whether your anti-abortion or pro-gay marriage, it just does not matter. All that matters next week is that you vote!
If you have gleaned anything from the topics that we have discussed over the last few weeks, I hope the most important thing is that no matter what side of the fence you’re on; your vote is critical.
Last week our political leaders – on both sides of the aisle – were in such a rush to solve our country’s financial crisis that rhyme and reason went out the window in lieu of quick action and they passed a bailout bill that could have significant negative long-term impacts on our economy.
Our political leaders – on both sides of the aisle – are considering a plan to suspend the gas tax that has proven ineffective when tried at the state level and that according to the American Society of Civil Engineers could cost the federal government billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
In the 2004 Presidential Election, 122,295,345 voted out of the 215,694,000 eligible voters. So, only 56.70% of eligible US voters exercised their right to vote in 2004. These bills, plans and proposals will have significant impact on each and every one of us – even when only 50% of us show up at the polls. So I am asking everyone to not only vote, but also to tell someone else to vote and ask him or her to tell someone else to vote.
And if you or them have questions about the candidates and their positions, I put together a non-partisan, candidate comparison sheet after the jump. It is based on information I took from the “New York Times Election Guide,” and it details the two major party candidate’s positions on a variety of issues. So check it out! And more importantly, share it with a friend.
No matter what your political affiliation, show up next Tuesday! It’s your civic duty and more importantly, vote because the decision that gets made will impact you either way!
For the rest click here.
I found your site on Google and read a few of your other entires. Nice Stuff. I’m looking forward to reading more from you.
I found your site on Google and read a few of your other entires. Nice Stuff. I’m looking forward to reading more from you.
I found your site on Google and read a few of your other entires. Nice Stuff. I’m looking forward to reading more from you.
I voted by mail last week, b/c of my Belgium trip. It was so easy and convenient that I’ve decided to vote this way from now on. Why wait?
Personally I like to vote in person. It makes me feel connected to this so-called “democracy” that we live in.
I love the frantic internet search on election day because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the fruitless search for parking near your polling station, the idol banter with the nitwit conservative in line in front of you, the smell of the poll workers (ahhh, tube roses and Ben Gay), their obviously fake cheeriness, their complete & utter lack of alphabetical & geographical knowledge in finding your name or address in their roll book, your inability to assist them when they ask you for ID because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the flimsy card table voting kiosks, the ballots that never line up in the plastic tabs of the voting booklet when you insert them, the little ink-a-dot pen that never works on the first press and always works too well on the second, trying to remember how you wanted to vote on all the propositions and referendums because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the poll workers’ complete & utter lack of knowledge on how to actually insert your ballot into the machine reader to make it “count,” the sadness you feel when it’s all done and you don’t have anything to recycle because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, and the need to request the little “I Voted” sticker after you’ve done the deed because they forgot to offer it to you.
Ahh, Election Day should be a national holiday…
Personally I like to vote in person. It makes me feel connected to this so-called “democracy” that we live in.
I love the frantic internet search on election day because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the fruitless search for parking near your polling station, the idol banter with the nitwit conservative in line in front of you, the smell of the poll workers (ahhh, tube roses and Ben Gay), their obviously fake cheeriness, their complete & utter lack of alphabetical & geographical knowledge in finding your name or address in their roll book, your inability to assist them when they ask you for ID because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the flimsy card table voting kiosks, the ballots that never line up in the plastic tabs of the voting booklet when you insert them, the little ink-a-dot pen that never works on the first press and always works too well on the second, trying to remember how you wanted to vote on all the propositions and referendums because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the poll workers’ complete & utter lack of knowledge on how to actually insert your ballot into the machine reader to make it “count,” the sadness you feel when it’s all done and you don’t have anything to recycle because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, and the need to request the little “I Voted” sticker after you’ve done the deed because they forgot to offer it to you.
Ahh, Election Day should be a national holiday…
Personally I like to vote in person. It makes me feel connected to this so-called “democracy” that we live in.
I love the frantic internet search on election day because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the fruitless search for parking near your polling station, the idol banter with the nitwit conservative in line in front of you, the smell of the poll workers (ahhh, tube roses and Ben Gay), their obviously fake cheeriness, their complete & utter lack of alphabetical & geographical knowledge in finding your name or address in their roll book, your inability to assist them when they ask you for ID because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the flimsy card table voting kiosks, the ballots that never line up in the plastic tabs of the voting booklet when you insert them, the little ink-a-dot pen that never works on the first press and always works too well on the second, trying to remember how you wanted to vote on all the propositions and referendums because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, the poll workers’ complete & utter lack of knowledge on how to actually insert your ballot into the machine reader to make it “count,” the sadness you feel when it’s all done and you don’t have anything to recycle because you’ve misplaced your sample ballot, and the need to request the little “I Voted” sticker after you’ve done the deed because they forgot to offer it to you.
Ahh, Election Day should be a national holiday…
Wow, who knew that you were such a romantic, Charles! Your reasons for voting in person are exactly my reasons for not wanting to ever vote again in person. Still, I think I’ll run this comment on Election Day — so enthusiastic.
I know Cali is really cool about voting by mail, but do other states just let you vote absentee no questions asked? I’ve been wondering about that.
Actually I was being more sarcastic than romantic – but there is a brief touch of Venus in what I wrote, because it’s such a unique and singular experience going to vote.
Seriously, I think Presidential elections should be national holidays. Or, better yet, if you go to the polls and vote, then go to work and present your receipt and “I Voted” sticker, then you should be entitled to leave work for the day (or at the very least leave early.) Think of the voter turnout. (But then again, turnout isn’t really the biggest problem – Germany had enormous turnout for their 1932 and 1933 elections and look who what happened…)
On a separate note, I think Oregon is an entirely “vote-by-mail” state from what I recall. As for “no questions asked,” I’m not sure…
Actually I was being more sarcastic than romantic – but there is a brief touch of Venus in what I wrote, because it’s such a unique and singular experience going to vote.
Seriously, I think Presidential elections should be national holidays. Or, better yet, if you go to the polls and vote, then go to work and present your receipt and “I Voted” sticker, then you should be entitled to leave work for the day (or at the very least leave early.) Think of the voter turnout. (But then again, turnout isn’t really the biggest problem – Germany had enormous turnout for their 1932 and 1933 elections and look who what happened…)
On a separate note, I think Oregon is an entirely “vote-by-mail” state from what I recall. As for “no questions asked,” I’m not sure…
Actually I was being more sarcastic than romantic – but there is a brief touch of Venus in what I wrote, because it’s such a unique and singular experience going to vote.
Seriously, I think Presidential elections should be national holidays. Or, better yet, if you go to the polls and vote, then go to work and present your receipt and “I Voted” sticker, then you should be entitled to leave work for the day (or at the very least leave early.) Think of the voter turnout. (But then again, turnout isn’t really the biggest problem – Germany had enormous turnout for their 1932 and 1933 elections and look who what happened…)
On a separate note, I think Oregon is an entirely “vote-by-mail” state from what I recall. As for “no questions asked,” I’m not sure…
Josh, thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy the blogs!
Charles, I love your description of the “Election Day Madness!” Actually, I love that feeling myself in all seriousness. I feel a jolt of adrenaline when I walk into my polling place and a sense of pride when I leave! Although, I must agree getting a day (or two) off for voting might encourage the less patriotic among us to vote. And if that is the case, it’s alright with me!
ETC, glad to hear you cast your vote already!
Josh, thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy the blogs!
Charles, I love your description of the “Election Day Madness!” Actually, I love that feeling myself in all seriousness. I feel a jolt of adrenaline when I walk into my polling place and a sense of pride when I leave! Although, I must agree getting a day (or two) off for voting might encourage the less patriotic among us to vote. And if that is the case, it’s alright with me!
ETC, glad to hear you cast your vote already!
Josh, thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy the blogs!
Charles, I love your description of the “Election Day Madness!” Actually, I love that feeling myself in all seriousness. I feel a jolt of adrenaline when I walk into my polling place and a sense of pride when I leave! Although, I must agree getting a day (or two) off for voting might encourage the less patriotic among us to vote. And if that is the case, it’s alright with me!
ETC, glad to hear you cast your vote already!