Mid Fall, 2008, Oil on Gessobord, 5x5I am not so sure about my extended family, but I do know for certain that my mother never once voted. Not only did she not vote, she was proud about not voting. She was hostile and critical and yet completely uninformed about our government and politicians in general. Her common rant was that her vote didn't matter so why bother.
When I was first eligible to vote, it was 1984. I was in college in Minneapolis and had learned a lot about being involved. Granted, I was in art college and we were all a bit melodramatic about everything, including (maybe especially) politics but I was very proud to go in and vote for Mondale/Ferraro. I have voted in every major election since then and when we lived in Utah I began voting in all the local elections as well, with my little babies in tow. It was tough voting in Utah, as the line between church and state was a bit blurry. I was not very happy about having to go to a local ward (LDS neighborhood church) in order to cast my vote. The ladies who checked me in made sure to remark loudly that they did not know who I was; they didn't know me because I was NOT a member of their church, HOW is that relevant when I am voting in a public election?
Anyway, I am off to vote later today. Obama gets my vote this time and I will also be casting my votes for a slew of local seats, including a judge, a senator and various state legislators. A few of these campaigns are pretty hot around here! And we are lucky, no long lines here in upstate NY, our town has about 350 households and there are never more than about 3 people in line to vote (at the town hall thank you!). But any wait at all is softened by conversation with friends and neighbors as well as a snack from one of the platters of home made cookies or banana bread at the registration table.
I loved my mom, but she was wrong not to vote. I intend to set a much more positive example for my children than she did for me.
10 comments:
I'll be glued to the television tonight watching the results. If Obama wins.....I'm throwing a party for one. What a historic moment it will be.
my mother refuses to vote, she is informed on the politics, but still refuses.. we're going to vote as a family later this afternoon for Obama. and the lines in our town aren't usually very long either, about 10 or so...
Good for you Tracey
I'm staying up tonight to watch some of the results come in. This is going to be one of those days and one of those elections which you remember for a very long time - no matter where you live - and I'm in London!
Yea!
My dad is the same, he really believes his vote doesn't count and that they are all pretty much out to get ya> MyHusband didn't vote until he met me.
I feel as if it is Christmas!!
Sorry that you had to vote at a church. I've never had that happen it has always been a school or library. Jason voted this morning and had to wait in line for an hour! I'm going to try my luck a little later and see if it isn't any faster. Have some banana bread for me and tell the family hi.
Melody, hope you have some chocolate at that party:) Especially if Obama DOESN'T win, heh, like that will happen...
Hi Natalya, your mom too, huh, nice thing taking the whole family, we often do that too, although not this year, they have schedules....
Thanks Katherine, yes this will definitely be a memorable election, and campaign.
I know what you mean Michelle, I was pretty excited when I got up this morning! Good for you getting your husband to vote.
Kristin, yeah, in Logan when we lived on Crockett Ave. Glad to hear it's not like that everywhere in Utah, and maybe there have been some changes since we lived there in Logan. Hi to Jason, you all look great!
Our little town polls were packed at 6am!
Whoo whooo - the numbers speak for themselves...I might not agree with
my mother's voting, and she cancels mine out (I think) at least she got it together to do so, and by mail.
At our polling place, we had not so
huge turnout for LA...but an encouraging turnout. I got to talk with the postman who gave me some
updates about the neighborhood.
Thanks for your news. Nina
I LOVE this painting!!!! It's even more beautiful in person!
Shea, thanks for stumbling me, always good to be stumbled. Yeah, hoping Obama will help, he sure is getting right down to work.
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