Open Letter to Those That Didn't Vote for Obama

Over the past two days, I have read so many hate-filled comments about our new President-Elect. Many are predictions of America's doom and assumptions about how this administration is going to turn fail. I saw this really great message on the Flickr group "Message to Obama" (which is really cool - you should check it out!) that I wanted to share with all my friends and family who didn't vote for Obama for whatever reason.

"Please give him and our country a chance. There have been so many warped things said about him by the Republican campaign -- which may not be something you are willing to believe. Just keep watching, try reading and looking at different sources of news than those you usually do. The horizon may be brighter than you think, especially if you live to make it so. I hope there is a part of you that is curious about how so many many people find in him a source of hope."

Please at least wait until the man takes office before you begin to criticize him and his policies which haven't even been put into place yet. Please stop spreading the hate and negativity by forwarding hateful emails that you may be receiving - even if they're only supposed to be meant as jokes. Please at least try to search your soul for some of the hope that so many of us feel that tomorrow will be a better day for America.

"Better Days" - Goo Goo Dolls

Yes We Did!

So it's over. The most historic election of my lifetime. I am, of course, thrilled with the results. Before I get to the future, I do want to talk about a couple of things.

Last night during John McCain's very gracious concession speech, every time he mentioned Obama's name, some members of the crowd booed. Now I understand that they were disappointed that their candidate didn't win, but that's no excuse for grown adults to act like eight year olds. Too bad those supporters didn't have the ability to accept defeat with dignity like their candidate.

Secondly, I want to talk about a faction of people who I hope and pray are just extremists and are in the vast minority. I have seen comments on various news articles on everything from Fox News to CNN similar to this one I saw on the Austin American Statesman written by someone using the screen name "Grumpy Old Man":

"God's rain of vengeance on this country for its blasphemy will be swift and merciless. We have truly lost our way."

I understand that people have their faith and I can respect that. But I think people like this take it a little too far. Damning the whole country because we had the audacity to elect a Black, democratic president? I can't be down with that. I assume these types of people are the ones that still cling to the ridiculous beliefs that Obama is a Muslim, terrorist, baby-killer, communist, socialist, etc. (By the way, as far as the whole abortion issue goes, I didn't see President Bush or the Congress that the Republicans controlled during the first 6 years of his presidency do much to overturn Roe v. Wade for you.) It's time for these people to get over themselves. They've done enough damage to the Republican party that I think it's time they create their very own party. Republicans are supposed to be about smaller government and yet these religious zealots are trying to legislate who people can marry, what women can do with their own bodies, where people should pray and teaching the Bible in the science classrooms in our public schools. The country spoke loud and clear last night: America does not want your dogma in its government. I look forward to the Republican party returning to the party of less government and not the party of Christian extremists.

Now then. Onwards and upwards! I am SO excited! For the first time in my life, I honestly feel like a President is going to be able to make great strides towards positive change in this country and in the way that other countries view us. I understand that it's not going to be immediate - my god, look at the mess he's going to be handed. But I feel like we've elected someone who will truly *listen* to the people and a real *diplomat* who will actually be able to work with other nations to solve problems instead of just invading them. I feel like we will experience a real positive change in our economy just like Bill Clinton brought us in the 90's. I think we'll see swift improvements in important programs like S.CHIP. I hope that our military efforts will begin to focus more on Afghanistan and Al Queda where it belongs instead of Iraq and that some of our soldiers in Iraq can begin coming home. I'm happy that in 14 1/2 years I won't have to worry about my son being drafted into the 100 Year War with Iraq.

As a bi product of an African-American in the White House, I hope that some of the desperation and hopelessness that plagues urban youth is alleviated and that instead of turning to drugs and crime because those are the only options that they feel are available to them, they can look at someone like Barack Obama and realize that even they can grow up to do great things.

Mostly, I am so proud of my country. I am proud that we were finally able to see past color and elect the person that we thought would be the best person for the job. I am so happy that my children will have the opportunity to grow up in a world where people are not judged by the color of their skin - whatever color that might be.

Ahhhhh.....

Yes We Can!

"Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk.

Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run.

Obama's running so we all can fly."

-Jay-Z at a voter rally in Philadelphia

Uninformed Hays County Election Official

A Hays County Election Official at the polls at the City of Kyle court house just required my husband to show his driver's license along with his voter registration card to vote. When she asked him if he had a license, he said, "Yes, but why do you need to see it?" She looked at him and just kinda chuckled and said, "You've never voted in Hays County before, have you?"....like if he HAD ever voted here before he would KNOW that it was a requirement. Well, guess what? It's NOT a requirement. I called Joyce Cowan, the Hays County Elections Administrator and spoke with her assistant (?) and told her what happened. She said that definately should not be happening and that she'd pass the info onto Ms. Cowan.

I am FIRED UP, y'all! You do not want to cross my path today.

Plus I'll tattle on you to the local paper here and here as well as post your wrongdoings on Twitter #votereport. Neener-Neener!

VOTE!

If you didn't vote in early voting, I sure hope you're planning to vote Tuesday! And no, contrary to any fliers you Virginians might have received, Democrats are NOT supposed to vote on Wednesday. EVERYONE votes on Tuesday. And for the love of god people, please check your polling place before you leave the house. Just get on Google and find your county election board or even either candidates' website and figure out where you're supposed to go. During early voting you can go anywhere in your county, but on actual Election Day, you have to vote in your precinct. I've worked elections before and trust me...it sucks to get all the way to the front of the line only to be told you're supposed to vote somewhere on the other side of town.

I want to talk a minute about the right to vote. If you're a US citizen over 18 in this country and not a felon, then you have the right to vote^*. Period. It doesn't matter if you're filthy rich or dirt poor. It doesn't matter if you're 18 or 98. It doesn't matter if you live in a mansion or if you're homeless. You have the CONSITITUTIONAL RIGHT to vote.

I had a discussion with a family member about a year ago about why it's not required to show ID to vote. My argument was that it amounted to a poll tax - not everyone can afford to get either a driver's license or a state ID card. Sure, they're only $15.00 (only $5.00 if you're over 60), but believe it or not, some people don't have $15.00. Plus, you have to actually GO to a DMV office to obtain a card. What if you work one of those crappy minimum wage jobs where you can't take time off during the day. What if you don't have a car? What if you live in a nursing home? What if you're disabled? What if you're homeless? Ya know what this relative of mine said? "Well, is that really the kind of person you want voting anyway?" I have to tell you guys, I was floored. And I don't think my opinion of that person will ever be the same. Which is saying a lot.

Today on NPR, I heard a piece about a high school in Dallas that has a handfull of seniors that are old enough to vote in this election. The League of Women Voters held a voter registration drive at the school. and last week a volunteer from that organization had walked with this group of seniors three blocks down the street to participate in early voting. While there, the NPR reporter interviewed some other citizens that were early voting too and asked them what they thought of these young people voting for the first time.

One man they interviewed was an elderly man named H.J. Everett who cast his first presidential vote for Eisenhower. He told the reporter in a very stern tone, "They shouldn't be voting at 18. They don't know enough. Voting is a serious business." I wonder if Mr. Everett also believes that fighting in a war and dying for this country is a serious business given that those same kids whom he doesn't think are old enough to vote are certainly old enough to join our military? I assure you that there are probably plenty of older adults that don't "know enough" to be voting either. Or people who garner all their information about a candidate from chain emails they receive. Or people who vote based on fear, racisim, sexism, bigotry and hate. But like it or not, every single citizen of this country over the age of 18 has the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to vote^*. And how dare anyone try to infringe upon that right?

Please, please, please exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, November 4th. And if the lines are long, please stick it out. This is such an important election as it will, regardless of who wins, forever change the course of this nation. And if anyone tries to tell you you can't vote or if you see someone telling others that they can't vote, please call the NONPARTISAN Election Protection Coalition at 866-OUR-VOTE (administered by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law) for assistance.

^* There are some states where convicted felons are not allowed to vote, even after their sentences have been completed.

Desperate

Desperate. That's the one word that I am now using to describe the McCain campaign. As more and more of the higher-ranking members of the GOP are reaching "across the aisle" in support of Obama, what the Republican party is left with is the absolute lowest common denominator.

I wasn't going to take the time to respond to the comment from my friendly troll "Rose" yesterday, but now I just have to. Yeah, Rose? That first link you included in your comment? About the chick in Pittsburg who was brutally attacked at an ATM machine supposedly for being a McCain supporter? SHE MADE IT UP! See the article where she admits it here. Now honestly, what kind of PSYCHOTIC person does this? I'm ashamed that she's from Texas. I'm disgusted that she accused a "tall black man" of this crime....fear-mongering at its finest.

And don't even get me started about the Obama supporters heckling McCain rally attendees. I certainly don't condone that and would never do it myself, but this is really the pot calling the kettle black. Hell, McCain rally attendees heckle Obama at their OWN damn rallies.

I feel like we are witnessing the implosion of a political party right before our very eyes. What new ludicrous claim are they going to come up with today? How much more are they going to whine about how much money the dems have to spend on TV ads leading up to the election? Hey, here's a thought! Maybe if you didn't spend $22,800 for two weeks of Palin's makeup and $150,000 for her clothes you'd have more money to spend on the important stuff.

And let me just say something about this whole clothing debacle. I don't fault Sarah for this at all really. She didn't go out and buy those clothes. I certainly understand that coming from Alaska and touring all around the lower 48 that she's going to need some clothes. And I don't even fault her for not going to Target or JC Penney's. But $150,000, seriously? That totally goes against her "hockey mom" "I'm just like you" image, don'tcha think? And why in the FUCK was a giant Louis Vitton bag purchased for Piper, her SECOND grader? There is not a legitimate excuse in the world that could justify that kind of wasteful spending and if I had donated to the GOP I would be demanding my money back.