So bye-bye, miss american pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry.
vote
/voʊt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [voht] Show IPA Pronunciation
noun, verb, vot⋅ed, vot⋅ing.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."
Did you write the book of love,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock ’n roll,
Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
TODAY I MUST VOTE.
-noun
1. a formal expression of opinion or choice, either positive or negative, made by an individual or body of individuals.
2. the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, etc.
3. the right to such expression: to give women the vote.
4. the decision reached by voting, as by a majority of ballots cast: The vote was for the resolution.
5. a collective expression of will as inferred from a number of votes: the labor vote.
6. an expression, as of some judgment: a vote of confidence.
-verb (used without object)
7. to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: to vote for president.
-verb (used with object)
8. to enact, establish, or determine by vote: to vote a proposed bill into law.
9. to support by one's vote: to vote the Republican ticket.
10. to advocate by or as by one's vote: to vote that the report be accepted.
11. to declare or decide by general consent: They voted the trip a success.
12. to encourage or cause to vote, esp. in a particular way.
Origin:
1425-75; late ME (n.) < L vōtum a vow
VOW. I want my vote to matter.
Do I vote for the guy that will improve my job immediately, or do I vote for the guy that may improve my job eventually?
I am not sure I will even have my job by the time that change could begin. It feels stifling to consider working in the same place for 35 years, even with deployments and possible (but not highly likely) promotions.
In an age of disappointment, doubt, pain, loneliness, fear, shame, pride, arrogance, willful ignorance, and general confusion, how is it reasonable or even possible to make a leap of faith that requires contemplating a 35 year away hope?
A coworker and lawyer advised me to trust my instinct. I don't understand my instincts. What if they are biased? What if I vote for someone just because of their gender and not because they are publicly coherent? What if I vote for someone just because they are publicly coherent and ignore other publicly questionable behaviors and ideological commitments? What if my instincts say "Vote for Ralph, he recycles!"? Sure, I will be able to say that I voted, and that I do like Nader, but my vote will no longer count. Last night, my significant other suggested that unless you vote for one of the major candidates, the vote is pointless.
I know that Prop 8 is a defining issue for all sorts of people who are loud and proud on both sides of the issue. I have so many close, beloved friends who are both vehemently pro Prop 8 and just as many against it. I cannot make a vow, cast a vote on this issue. Abortion is a defining issue for others. Same problem- I cannot make a vow, or cast a vote on this issue. I guess at the end of the day, it boils down to economics- my quandary of improving now or potentially improving later...
One candidate ardently speaks of faith, that we can come together as a culture and make changes and solve problems and work together. I cannot even do this cleanly and with bright shining hope within my own thinking. I have no faith that as a nation we can do this any better. I have no faith that either of the men running for office are skilled enough or wise enough or good enough to lead us into peace and success. I think Jesus could, but then there is that whole issue of Separation of Church and State (the law that says that a religious leader cannot control the government and that the government cannot take away your choice for private practices, which also does not suggest that the government is not inherently based on religious values and needs).
All the public sycophancy cannot save us in the end. Instincts are inherently biased, in ways we cannot even detect. God is impartial and loves us all in the end. We can buy the confabulations, and strut around claiming profound alignment and association and representation. We are human, we love to be right. What happens when nothing IS right, accept what we invent. How do we proceed then? What promise can we make with our hearts and souls with clean, clear, unbiased conscience?
VOW.
TODAY I MUST VOTE.
/voʊt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [voht] Show IPA Pronunciation
noun, verb, vot⋅ed, vot⋅ing.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."
Did you write the book of love,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock ’n roll,
Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
TODAY I MUST VOTE.
-noun
1. a formal expression of opinion or choice, either positive or negative, made by an individual or body of individuals.
2. the means by which such expression is made, as a ballot, ticket, etc.
3. the right to such expression: to give women the vote.
4. the decision reached by voting, as by a majority of ballots cast: The vote was for the resolution.
5. a collective expression of will as inferred from a number of votes: the labor vote.
6. an expression, as of some judgment: a vote of confidence.
-verb (used without object)
7. to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: to vote for president.
-verb (used with object)
8. to enact, establish, or determine by vote: to vote a proposed bill into law.
9. to support by one's vote: to vote the Republican ticket.
10. to advocate by or as by one's vote: to vote that the report be accepted.
11. to declare or decide by general consent: They voted the trip a success.
12. to encourage or cause to vote, esp. in a particular way.
Origin:
1425-75; late ME (n.) < L vōtum a vow
VOW. I want my vote to matter.
Do I vote for the guy that will improve my job immediately, or do I vote for the guy that may improve my job eventually?
I am not sure I will even have my job by the time that change could begin. It feels stifling to consider working in the same place for 35 years, even with deployments and possible (but not highly likely) promotions.
In an age of disappointment, doubt, pain, loneliness, fear, shame, pride, arrogance, willful ignorance, and general confusion, how is it reasonable or even possible to make a leap of faith that requires contemplating a 35 year away hope?
A coworker and lawyer advised me to trust my instinct. I don't understand my instincts. What if they are biased? What if I vote for someone just because of their gender and not because they are publicly coherent? What if I vote for someone just because they are publicly coherent and ignore other publicly questionable behaviors and ideological commitments? What if my instincts say "Vote for Ralph, he recycles!"? Sure, I will be able to say that I voted, and that I do like Nader, but my vote will no longer count. Last night, my significant other suggested that unless you vote for one of the major candidates, the vote is pointless.
I know that Prop 8 is a defining issue for all sorts of people who are loud and proud on both sides of the issue. I have so many close, beloved friends who are both vehemently pro Prop 8 and just as many against it. I cannot make a vow, cast a vote on this issue. Abortion is a defining issue for others. Same problem- I cannot make a vow, or cast a vote on this issue. I guess at the end of the day, it boils down to economics- my quandary of improving now or potentially improving later...
One candidate ardently speaks of faith, that we can come together as a culture and make changes and solve problems and work together. I cannot even do this cleanly and with bright shining hope within my own thinking. I have no faith that as a nation we can do this any better. I have no faith that either of the men running for office are skilled enough or wise enough or good enough to lead us into peace and success. I think Jesus could, but then there is that whole issue of Separation of Church and State (the law that says that a religious leader cannot control the government and that the government cannot take away your choice for private practices, which also does not suggest that the government is not inherently based on religious values and needs).
All the public sycophancy cannot save us in the end. Instincts are inherently biased, in ways we cannot even detect. God is impartial and loves us all in the end. We can buy the confabulations, and strut around claiming profound alignment and association and representation. We are human, we love to be right. What happens when nothing IS right, accept what we invent. How do we proceed then? What promise can we make with our hearts and souls with clean, clear, unbiased conscience?
VOW.
TODAY I MUST VOTE.