Election
I took the results of the 2004 election really personally. It seemed so clear at that point that the direction the country was being steered was disastrous. I couldn't imagine how a person with a conscience could vote for four more years of the Bush administration. The only logical conclusion was that most citizens of the country are deeply stupid, just evil, or some combination of the two. For an extra kick in the teeth, nobody gives a damn about, or is even discussing, my civil rights except to heartily agree that gay marriage is a threat to society. It was emotionally wrenching to watch the last embers of youthful idealism extinguished.
Due to the trauma, I have managed to at least somewhat avoid the super-saturation of this election. I have barely turned on the television in months. I never sit through campaign ads. I have listened to only a limited amount of NPR coverage - enough to know what's going on, but not too much. I have refused to discuss the election with people I would normally talk about this sort of thing. I just haven't been able to stand it.
This morning, I was in line outside my polling place at 6:35 am. It actually felt kind of exciting. Maybe there's just a little idealism left.
Due to the trauma, I have managed to at least somewhat avoid the super-saturation of this election. I have barely turned on the television in months. I never sit through campaign ads. I have listened to only a limited amount of NPR coverage - enough to know what's going on, but not too much. I have refused to discuss the election with people I would normally talk about this sort of thing. I just haven't been able to stand it.
This morning, I was in line outside my polling place at 6:35 am. It actually felt kind of exciting. Maybe there's just a little idealism left.