On voting
October 27, 2008 – 10:24 am
Jay and I always vote by absentee ballot. And by “always” I mean excluding the times when I (gasp) throw the ballots* in the garbage.
Don’t judge me. I believe in INFORMED voting. And sometimes I just don’t have the time nor the energy to be informed.
This election though… it’s a biggie. (in case you didn’t notice).
So Sunday morning I sat down with my cup of coffee, my voter’s pamphlet, and my ballot.
Four hours later I had my opinions *almost* figured out. Except for a couple of issues where I was more confused then when I started.
Like who is this guy BOB BARR and how did he get on the ballot?
And HELLO! did you realize there is a woman running for president? Yup, it’s true. How is it that the news hasn’t picked this up? And who is she anyway? And how is it that I thought there were TWO presidential candidates when in fact there are a whole passel of them?
And did you realize that ANYBODY and yes I mean anybody can run for office? As long as you’re a US citizen of a certain age and without any major felonies you just sign up and BLAM! you’re on the ballot. That blows my mind. Seriously.
And COME ON PEOPLE isn’t there ANY OTHER WAY to pay for five million and one excellent initiatives than to raise property taxes? I think our public officials need to start thinking outside the box. Like maybe we could start stealing money from other states in the dead of night. Oregon is right there and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t notice.
Yes, I’m thinking of running office. I’m fairly convinced I could turn this state around.
***
*I learned in the writing of this post that ballot (as in the thing you check off) is spelled with an O-T not an E-T.
Because if you spell it with an E-T you’re talking about muscular people in tights frolicking around a stage. And, although that’s a whole lot of fun, I don’t think it’s really gonna help our economic future.
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By Kat on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
It still amazes me that anyone would actually WANT to be president. I mean, you have to be a little looney in the head, don’t ya think?
Glad to hear you did your duty. Ah. Civic duty, that is.
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By All Adither on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I can’t wait to vote! My husband informed me that Nader was on the ballot again, and I was all, When is that guy going to give the hell up?
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By Eternal Sunshine on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I’m going to cast my ballet on election day. People will totally be looking at me funny and wondering “why is this woman doing plies in the middle of the polling place?”
I did know about the woman, but I have not heard one.single.thing about any of the other candidates (other than THE BIG TWO, I mean)
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By Wendy on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I think you’re right about Oregon. They’d never notice. They’re all doped up and laid back, right? :)
We need to get the money from somewhere. I’m tired of our ferry route paying for everything!
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By Just Jiff on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
Hm…I need to vote via mail too. How do I go about getting that set up?
And that’s crazy..maybe I’ll vote for the Barr guy since I’m not crazy about either McCain or Obama…
Just Jiffs last blog post..Snuggles, giggles, and coos.
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By jsprik on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
lol..i don’t think they could do any worse?!? hugs and prayers…
jspriks last blog post..Blue Monday
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By Lori on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
HEY, I’m an Oregonian. You’re already shopping tax free down here. Isn’t that enough?
Okay, let’s not fight. Instead, let’s propose a tax on plastic surgery in California. We’d be sitting pretty (get it…pretty?) in no time.
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By Kimber on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
Hey, I may have to look at the other candidates since I’m still undecided on who to vote for. There are definitely things about each major candidate that I don’t agree with. Matter of fact someone from one of the parties called and asked me to volunteer some time working at the polls next week, and I definitely would have if I knew who to vote for. I refuse to work for a particular party and be a hypocrite by not voting for that party you know?
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By Krista on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
and those muscular men in tights? they don’t look so hot when they’re wearing what’s obviously a shirt and then just their tights and no pants. Ew!
(we just went to the ballet on Saturday in case you couldn’t tell! ;)
Kristas last blog post..Ze Ballet
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By HeatherY on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
We have early voting here in GA. I managed to leave the girl with her Daddy and go vote at the courthouse! The hubs is doing an absentee ballot too. His schedule is just too unpredictable! It doesn’t matter how you vote just that you vote!
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By Halloween Doll Clothes Gal on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
Very funny - I think satire at this time is great. Although this is an important time and everyone should be encouraged to vote.
Halloween Doll Clothes Gals last blog post..A Day Out
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By Mrs. G. on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I’m completely behind the whole stealing from other states in the night idea!
Mrs. G.s last blog post..Sunday Drive
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By JennyHenny on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I’ll vote for you! I won’t even mind if you spend $150k on new clothes!
JennyHennys last blog post..Guru For Hire
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By Dumblond on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I think filling in a ballet would be more fun.
Dumblonds last blog post..Thanks little brothers!
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By Olymom on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
When I was on the Oregon coast a couple of months ago, I bought a little sign that says, “If we quit voting, will they go away?” Unfortunately, I fear the answer is NO!
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By Gina Carlin on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I absentee every year since it costs the taxpayer nothing extra and who wants to tote three tiny kids to the voting booth — can you even do that? So I voted too. I think it’s the biggest difference in candidates yet. We’re in for a wild ride…
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By Kathleen on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for this tutorial on the American political system :-) I could not agree with you more, on all points!
Kathleens last blog post..Make Me Laugh Monday - Photo Guess
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By Kerrie on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I love reading your blog. It always puts a smile on my face.
Kerries last blog post..For Old Tome’s Sake
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By Jessica Bern on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
I’m going to nominate my 5 year old’s friend from Kindergarten. She speaks three languages and got a passport four years ago unlike some people we know.
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By Rabbi's Wife on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
I’m voting by mail all the way from Israel. All us American Jews living abroad are the new swing state, you know.
Rabbi’s Wifes last blog post..Can’t you just get a Rabbi to bless this?
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By jubilee on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
Your sense of humor never fails to crack me up. And you have some commenters that are hilarious too. Some girls have all the luck.
I’d much rather get a ballet in the mail than a ballot, but then The Calm One might not remain so calm.
We voted early. Marched ourselves right on down to the Board of Elections and braved the downtown traffic. It was enough of an adventure to last me for quite awhile. It was so traumatic that I can’t remember actually voting, but I left with a cute sticker, so I must have. On the other hand, my daughter left with four stickers . . . hope it was b/c she’s so cute and not because she somehow managed to talk someone into registering her.
jubilees last blog post..Giveaways Galore
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By Carrie on Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
I was also surprised at the gammut of presidential candidates on our ballot! Not that it really mattered, but it was interesting!
Carries last blog post..Halloween, Redux
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By sheila on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
I heard Barr was on the ballot. I’m hoping all those Ron Paul fans check the Barr box! LOL
I vote ON election day. It’s a sick excitement I have. lol
sheilas last blog post..Honey, we’re having company tonight! My husband brings a spirit home from the funeral parlor
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By Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
You should sign up as Absolutely Bananas. I bet TONS of people would vote for you.
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By Mad Woman on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
I wish I could vote in the US election, though in retrospect it’s probably a good thing I can’t.
I love how there’s a whole slew of people on the ballot but the only ones we ever hear about are McCain and Obama. Sad eh? I look forward to seeing YOU in the next election :)
Mad Womans last blog post..Perspective
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By followthatdog on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
who the hell even wants to be president anymore? I can’t imagine why a sane and rational person would put himself (or herself as the case may be) and their family out there for that kind of unrelenting scrutiny.
I’ll be voting tonight. I promise.
followthatdogs last blog post..You have questions? I have answers. Well, kind of.
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By Polka Dot Mommy on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
Down here in Oregon we only have absentee voting… we did away with all that running around to the elementary school gym to vote in like five minutes in a tiny cubby. :)
Hubs and I spent several hours at our kitchen table with the voters pamphlets (there were two), discussing our choices and finally filling in the little circles.
And believe me, we’d notice the whole disappearing $$… There’s just never enough to go around.
Polka Dot Mommys last blog post..Little Known Things About ME
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By zenmomma on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
I’ll admit I too was pretty shocked when I opened my ballot and saw all those peeps running for prez. Who knew? I checked 3 times to make sure I voted for my guy.
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By OHmommy on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
Oh…. this put a smile on my face. Many thanks for I love the satire!
OHmommys last blog post..Seriously. What’s so special about being blonde?
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By creative-type dad on Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
I wish the other “candidates” did get as much media as the big two.
It would be an even bigger circus-reality show than it is now.
Hey! Maybe they could do a show called “Who wants to be the next President” and Regis could host it.
creative-type dads last blog post..What’s It’s Like Having The Scariest House In The Neighborhood
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By Kimberly on Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
They should change them from “ballot initiatives” to “reasons to hike your taxes, AGAIN” for all the non informed voters.
I live in Nebraska and since we have more cows than people we pay out our kids’ college fund in taxes every year!
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By Honey Mommy on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
I am happy to report that I already voted! Hooray for me!
Honey Mommys last blog post..Halloween at the Honey House
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By sheila on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Okay, I’m commenting again on this because it’s been so long since you’ve posted! lol!
I think republicans should go ahead and vote for Bob Barr! I think that’s a reallll good idea infact!
sheilas last blog post..Women don’t fart (they simply pass gas)
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