I know it's folly to submit a diary on this day, of all days, at this time of day, etc. But I feel I've had a sign that it will all be okay, and so I'm posting anyway.
I live on the very edge of one of the most Republican areas in Chicagoland. There are so many Repugs that there are NO DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES on the ballot (which was paper, thank God) below the state level. So I took the opportunity to add write-ins (in the appropriate boxes, of course) because
I REFUSE TO VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN!!! If it all works out, my sister will be our new local representative, and I will be the new county clerk, which will be a big stretch for me, but if the honor falls upon my shoulders, I will accept it with humility.
I am agoraphobic and rarely leave the house (I did do some canvassing, but it was very difficult). On those rare occasions when I do, I usually sweat so profusely that my clothes are soaked before I even get in the car. Not today. I was cool as a cucumber. When I returned home I found that my pootie had walked on the remote and changed the channel to the local ABC station (gasp!!). There was Oprah, talking to the cast and crew of the new movie about the day Bobbie Kennedy died. I'm taking it as a sign. We are not just doing this for ourselves, we are not just doing it for our children, or the future of this planet. We are doing this for all those who came before us, who lived and died for this great country, those who laid down their lives for a cause that was greater than themselves. I will be thinking of Bobbie and John and Martin today, of all those brave men and women who have fought and died for us. Some of the conflicts they fought in were just, they gave us the way of life we cherish, and that we are fighting for in this election today. Some conflicts have brought shame on this country. But the brave men and women who fought and died in those shameful endeavors (and continue to fight and die) have not done so in vain. They have made the cause for which we have worked so hard for these last months that much more necessary, that much more urgent. We honor them today by standing up for what is right, we honor them by taking back the very rights and privileges that they believed they were fighting for, the rights and privileges that have been egregiously taken from us all. Each and every one of them was in my heart as I voted this morning, and that is where they will stay.
I will be spending the rest of the day making calls for the good candidates we have fielded here in Illinois, watching the news, and hanging out here with whoever shows up and needs to chat or vent or whatever any one of you might need. If I can be of assistance to anyone, if you need a hand with research or someone to make phone calls for a specific candidate, whatever I could possibly do for anyone, I will be at your disposal.
Unless you are dead or in a coma, there is no excuse for not voting today. GOTV!!! GO DEMS!!!! LET'S TAKE THIS COUNTRY BACK!!!!!