Mainly because I believe that electing a Democratic Congress and Governors and State Legislatures is more important. I mean, sure, we need a Democrat in the White House, but for the 40 some years I have been voting it hasn’t mattered much to me which Democrat it was. Except this time.
This time it REALLY mattered to me because for the first time ever I had a chance at being represented in my government at the highest level. ME! Me, and my own peculiar set of beliefs. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been a socialist. I was probably born that way, but reading my favorite book from childhood, Dr. Seuss’s “Sneetches on the Beaches”, solidified it.
I really do believe that everyone is equal and should have the same opportunities; whether it’s health care, housing, education, frankfurter roasts or marshmallow toasts. Possibly I live in the wrong country, but I was born here and those that say “America, Love it or Leave it”, must have more money that I do. I can’t afford to move across the street.
So when my candidate of choice announced, I was all in. I didn’t need to listen to speeches or debates, I am well aware of both main candidates records. (I would have liked to have learned more about Martin O'Malley.) The fuss here at DK has been a bit baffling to me (except, I do understand the whole “more clicks, more money” thing). What I haven’t understood is all the arguing and nastiness. To me it’s a 10 minute conversation:
“Who do you like best?”
“Oh, really why?
“Who do I like best and why?”
“Well, that’s cool, we like different candidates, where do you want to have lunch?”
In my personal life that’s the way it’s been. (Unless of course someone supports Trump, and then I explode, which I think is just the sane response.) Here at DK it’s been different though, time limits and deadlines have been set.
I have just a couple of things to say about that. First, of course I am voting for the Democratic nominee. I said it here, months ago, and explained why I HAVE to. www.dailykos.com/…
Secondly, as a bit of an outsider in a Democracy, I have still played by the rules. The rules say everyone gets to vote. As a bit of an aside, we know that rule is broken all the time, and “everyone voting” is actively discouraged by some. That’s why I’ve become so involved with 90for90, a voter advocacy movement.
Supporting 90for90 means 3 things when you get down to it:
~You think voting is good.
~You think everyone deserves the right to vote.
~You are ok with publically honoring a living civil rights icon, Dr. Ferguson Reid Sr.
Here’s a bit of an odd thing; many times these last months I have been in touch with both Dr. Reid Sr. and Dr. Reid Jr. and I have no clue who their choice is for the Presidential nominee. We don’t talk about it at all, we talk voter registration and down ballot races.
Back to my second point, about living in a Democracy and playing by the rules. I abide by those rules (except, well, I do drive very fast) and I intend to continue. I will consider this Democratic Presidential Primary over when all the votes are counted.
Many in CA vote by mail, their ballots have to be postmarked by 6.7.16, but won’t be counted until, maybe Friday. DC votes on the 14th. I don’t really care about super delegates. I care about respecting voters. A lot of people have died in order for others to have the right to vote and I think the decent thing is to give them a chance to do so. I don’t want to be dismissive about them exorcising this right. To think, it’s too late, that their votes don’t matter, won’t make a difference, don’t count, because they do. As Dr. Seuss would say, “People are people, no matter how small”.
And third, well, when the votes are counted, I think I may need a little time…
Everything I write, including my name, belongs solely to me. Tracy B Ann