Election Eve
On the eve of the coming momentous day, when the national destiny will be shaped for a generation to come, I'm nervous.
Yes, it's true. Your writer is as nervous as hell. Because nothing in this world is certain, and because he's been disappointed in the last two elections, the ones he's followed and cared about. Both times, the candidate he so desperately wanted to win came within inches, and then fell. Both times, they were good candidates with experience, and both times, there was substantial hope for change. Instead, all the nation has gotten is an ever-worsening reality which has turned the American dream into the American nightmare. If you had asked me eight years ago today if, on this day in 2008, I would be living in a country fighting two wars with no end in sight, suffering through the worst economic implosion of modern times, and thoroughly distrusted and in some quarters even hated by the international community and our allies, I would have thought it all a bizarre joke. If anyone with a crystal ball had foretold September 11th, Enron (though that was so long ago now), a war without purpose in Iraq, another war without guidance in Afghanistan, the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, of civil rights, of international respect, I would have denied it all. Even Bush, I would have said, couldn't be that bad. Maybe, in fairness, he hasn't been. He hasn't decided to make all these things transpire. But as a President, it was his job to handle them, to guide the nation, to lead. I can't say that I think he lived up to that responsibility. From time to time, he made a good choice, and I won't take away his triumphs, however few and far between they may be, at least by my reckoning. But, to say these eight years have been anything but a disaster is I think to utterly deny reality.
On election eve, I have no clue what will happen next. The polls say Obama is in the lead. But, what does that matter? Polls can be wrong. Fraud can occur. It has before; it will again. As it is, I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic. I've told myself, McCain wouldn't be so bad (although Governor Palin's presence in the wings makes it harder and harder to say each time). And besides, I've been disappointed for eight years. I've earned my right to say what I want. I watched nine debates this past election cycle, followed things for a year and a half. I read up on every candidate, examined their stance on the issues, listened patiently to what they said. Do I agree 100% with who I am supporting? No. Not by a long shot. But do I think he's the right person for the job? Absolutely, 100%. It's good, from time to time, to pick someone you don't entirely agree with, because dissenting views are important to hear lest you get stale. The problem of the past eight years was that dissenting views were shut out. Having attended anti-war rallies, signed petitions, voted in 2004 and 2006, tried to argue my views, I know how hard it was, how uncompromising and unwilling others were to let me in for all that time. Now that things are bad, people come flooding away from that point of view, and closer to mine. It's gratifying in a way, but I'd be happier if the nation were better off than if I were proven right. So, I'm in the position now of waiting, hoping, for the last few hours.
I don't want to be denied anymore. I want my voice to be heard. I want a change! I want to hope for once!
The sun that rises on tomorrow won't necessarily be an Obama sunrise of red, white, and blue. That burning star will rise on Republican, Democrat, Third Party supporter, and undecided alike, and everyone will be expected to vote. Everyone must vote. You really need to. I don't care who you are or who you support, for goodness sakes, go out and make your voices heard! The rest of the world is watching us, waiting for us. There are people in Europe, in Kenya, in Japan (particularly in Obama City, the town that shares his name) who would love to be in your place and cast a ballot. So, go out and do it! You only get the chance once every four years, and although every election matters, this one matters particularly. If we are to turn around the suffering nation of America, we must do it now, not four years or eight years from now. More importantly, we have to turn around this world, which is endlessly burdened by war, poverty, cruelty, inhumanity, and an ever-changing environment on the verge of irrevocable damage. Even on this last issue, I cannot stress it enough: if we do not do something in the term of the next administration, it will be too late for thousands of species of plants and animals, for hundreds of miles of land lost to the sea, to millions of people whose lives will be changed as the planet changes. This isn't something that can wait. None of these problems can wait. We have to address them NOW. I don't know that either candidate can do it, but I know who I think is more likely to do it. That's why I'm voting with him. That's why I hope you all will vote with me. But even if you don't, please vote anyway. It's important to be heard, to take action, to have a voice. That way, even if all you can do with that voice is be a dissenter, as I was for eight years, you can at least be entitled to your opinion. You can at least say you've used your rights. And that is the most important thing of all.
Don't be disinterested. Don't say it doesn't affect you. The direction our world takes affects us all! Every choice, great or small, has a lasting effect in the ripples of consciousness and cause and effect. Leading your life as you see fit will help, even if only you know you are helping. So, for goodness sakes, go out and live! Don't be shut up at your computer, alone in your opinions. Cast a ballot, make a statement, TAKE ACTION! And once you've done that, be proud. Live up the expectation of democracy. It only will work if you make it work.
Finally, for those of you living in California, I would humbly ask for your support on a few key issues. Please consider voting YES on Propositions 1A, 2, 3, 5, and 12. They are important in taking care of the people, animals, and infrastructure of this great state. Particularly, please think of the animals that Proposition 2 will help, as they are horribly caged and hurt by the so-called "modern farming practices" used today. Also please think of the future that Proposition 1A can help to bring, with California having a modern, high-speed rail system like the ones I've seen and enjoyed in France and Japan. Moving away from cars and airplanes is a good way to help our environment, provide excellent transportation, and create many new jobs in a time of hardship. Infrastructure bonds are most useful in tough times, because they help the working man and give the state and nation useful facilities for the future. And also, please vote NO on Propositions 4 & 8. I particularly want to ask your support on Proposition 8, because it is unfair, dishonest, and prejudiced to take away the rights of people who merely want to live and love together. Please, think of the gay people you know. Think of how you would feel taking away their rights and repressing them. Think of making them unhappy with your voice and actions. If this is something that makes you feel bad, then for goodness sakes don't oppress them by voting yes. The 'Yes on 8' people have only one thing that's correct in what they're saying: marriage ought to be protected. I agree. It ought to be protected for EVERYONE, including gay people. Gay rights are the civil rights issue of our time, and just as it was wrong to oppress African Americans, Japanese Americans, Latino Americans, women, and everyone else who has in the past felt the burden of discrimination, it is equally wrong to oppress gay people. I give you an impassioned plea for equal rights. If you value those rights, and wouldn't want them taken from you, please vote NO.
Strangely, after typing all that, I feel less nervous. I feel more confident. I feel more hopeful. I want to take those good feelings with me to the polls tomorrow, and I hope you'll all do the same. Thanks for reading.
Yes, it's true. Your writer is as nervous as hell. Because nothing in this world is certain, and because he's been disappointed in the last two elections, the ones he's followed and cared about. Both times, the candidate he so desperately wanted to win came within inches, and then fell. Both times, they were good candidates with experience, and both times, there was substantial hope for change. Instead, all the nation has gotten is an ever-worsening reality which has turned the American dream into the American nightmare. If you had asked me eight years ago today if, on this day in 2008, I would be living in a country fighting two wars with no end in sight, suffering through the worst economic implosion of modern times, and thoroughly distrusted and in some quarters even hated by the international community and our allies, I would have thought it all a bizarre joke. If anyone with a crystal ball had foretold September 11th, Enron (though that was so long ago now), a war without purpose in Iraq, another war without guidance in Afghanistan, the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, of civil rights, of international respect, I would have denied it all. Even Bush, I would have said, couldn't be that bad. Maybe, in fairness, he hasn't been. He hasn't decided to make all these things transpire. But as a President, it was his job to handle them, to guide the nation, to lead. I can't say that I think he lived up to that responsibility. From time to time, he made a good choice, and I won't take away his triumphs, however few and far between they may be, at least by my reckoning. But, to say these eight years have been anything but a disaster is I think to utterly deny reality.
On election eve, I have no clue what will happen next. The polls say Obama is in the lead. But, what does that matter? Polls can be wrong. Fraud can occur. It has before; it will again. As it is, I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic. I've told myself, McCain wouldn't be so bad (although Governor Palin's presence in the wings makes it harder and harder to say each time). And besides, I've been disappointed for eight years. I've earned my right to say what I want. I watched nine debates this past election cycle, followed things for a year and a half. I read up on every candidate, examined their stance on the issues, listened patiently to what they said. Do I agree 100% with who I am supporting? No. Not by a long shot. But do I think he's the right person for the job? Absolutely, 100%. It's good, from time to time, to pick someone you don't entirely agree with, because dissenting views are important to hear lest you get stale. The problem of the past eight years was that dissenting views were shut out. Having attended anti-war rallies, signed petitions, voted in 2004 and 2006, tried to argue my views, I know how hard it was, how uncompromising and unwilling others were to let me in for all that time. Now that things are bad, people come flooding away from that point of view, and closer to mine. It's gratifying in a way, but I'd be happier if the nation were better off than if I were proven right. So, I'm in the position now of waiting, hoping, for the last few hours.
I don't want to be denied anymore. I want my voice to be heard. I want a change! I want to hope for once!
The sun that rises on tomorrow won't necessarily be an Obama sunrise of red, white, and blue. That burning star will rise on Republican, Democrat, Third Party supporter, and undecided alike, and everyone will be expected to vote. Everyone must vote. You really need to. I don't care who you are or who you support, for goodness sakes, go out and make your voices heard! The rest of the world is watching us, waiting for us. There are people in Europe, in Kenya, in Japan (particularly in Obama City, the town that shares his name) who would love to be in your place and cast a ballot. So, go out and do it! You only get the chance once every four years, and although every election matters, this one matters particularly. If we are to turn around the suffering nation of America, we must do it now, not four years or eight years from now. More importantly, we have to turn around this world, which is endlessly burdened by war, poverty, cruelty, inhumanity, and an ever-changing environment on the verge of irrevocable damage. Even on this last issue, I cannot stress it enough: if we do not do something in the term of the next administration, it will be too late for thousands of species of plants and animals, for hundreds of miles of land lost to the sea, to millions of people whose lives will be changed as the planet changes. This isn't something that can wait. None of these problems can wait. We have to address them NOW. I don't know that either candidate can do it, but I know who I think is more likely to do it. That's why I'm voting with him. That's why I hope you all will vote with me. But even if you don't, please vote anyway. It's important to be heard, to take action, to have a voice. That way, even if all you can do with that voice is be a dissenter, as I was for eight years, you can at least be entitled to your opinion. You can at least say you've used your rights. And that is the most important thing of all.
Don't be disinterested. Don't say it doesn't affect you. The direction our world takes affects us all! Every choice, great or small, has a lasting effect in the ripples of consciousness and cause and effect. Leading your life as you see fit will help, even if only you know you are helping. So, for goodness sakes, go out and live! Don't be shut up at your computer, alone in your opinions. Cast a ballot, make a statement, TAKE ACTION! And once you've done that, be proud. Live up the expectation of democracy. It only will work if you make it work.
Finally, for those of you living in California, I would humbly ask for your support on a few key issues. Please consider voting YES on Propositions 1A, 2, 3, 5, and 12. They are important in taking care of the people, animals, and infrastructure of this great state. Particularly, please think of the animals that Proposition 2 will help, as they are horribly caged and hurt by the so-called "modern farming practices" used today. Also please think of the future that Proposition 1A can help to bring, with California having a modern, high-speed rail system like the ones I've seen and enjoyed in France and Japan. Moving away from cars and airplanes is a good way to help our environment, provide excellent transportation, and create many new jobs in a time of hardship. Infrastructure bonds are most useful in tough times, because they help the working man and give the state and nation useful facilities for the future. And also, please vote NO on Propositions 4 & 8. I particularly want to ask your support on Proposition 8, because it is unfair, dishonest, and prejudiced to take away the rights of people who merely want to live and love together. Please, think of the gay people you know. Think of how you would feel taking away their rights and repressing them. Think of making them unhappy with your voice and actions. If this is something that makes you feel bad, then for goodness sakes don't oppress them by voting yes. The 'Yes on 8' people have only one thing that's correct in what they're saying: marriage ought to be protected. I agree. It ought to be protected for EVERYONE, including gay people. Gay rights are the civil rights issue of our time, and just as it was wrong to oppress African Americans, Japanese Americans, Latino Americans, women, and everyone else who has in the past felt the burden of discrimination, it is equally wrong to oppress gay people. I give you an impassioned plea for equal rights. If you value those rights, and wouldn't want them taken from you, please vote NO.
Strangely, after typing all that, I feel less nervous. I feel more confident. I feel more hopeful. I want to take those good feelings with me to the polls tomorrow, and I hope you'll all do the same. Thanks for reading.