;)
OK. I have an advance copy. I cheated. All I can say is, "I heart Katherine Center." Just click here and pre-purchase your copy so you don't have to stand in line with all of the other people who will want to get their hands on this wise and funny book! Honesty, humor and great writing is an amazing combination.
Tuesday
04Mar
Is this what voting is supposed to feel like?
As I stood in front of the voting machine this afternoon, my hands were trembling and tears were welling up in my eyes. Apparently, I was also sighing and making loud breathing sounds, because, at one point, the election clerk asked me if I was OK and if I needed assistance with the machine. As I stared down at the screen, I felt overwhelmed, grateful and scared. For the first time in my voting life, I really believed that my vote mattered. And, I’ll tell you – the pressure was tremendous.
Over the past two weeks I’ve changed my mind 27 times. Each time felt final and led to a triumphant declaration that Steve and Ellen started ignoring after my 4th switch. Steve has done his own dance, but Ellen is, and remains, a solid Obama supporter. When I asked her why, she presented a wonderful analogy:
Pretty impressive.
Having taught policy analysis for seven years, I’ve deconstructed every issue in my effort to choose between Hillary and Barack. It didn’t work. I even tried to get on the inspiration vs. experience bandwagon, but that fell flat too. Hillary inspires me and I think too much political experience is attached to too many promises and favors.
All things being pretty equal (and analyzed to death), it unexpectedly came down to a TV commercial.
A couple of nights ago, I was watching TV and a commercial came on that went something like this:
"It’s 3AM and your children are safely snuggled into their beds. You know where they are. They’re sleeping and they are safe."
It shows diverse children in their houses, all covered up and sleeping peacefully.
"Your children are safe, but at 3AM, the phone rings in the White House. There’s a crisis in the world."
OK – at this point, I actually say out loud, “I hate this shit! This is why I don’t like John McCain.”
Then, the voiceover says something like, “When your kids are sleeping and there’s a crisis in the world, don’t you want someone with experience answering the call?
Then it shows Hillary answering the phone.
Over the past two weeks I’ve changed my mind 27 times. Each time felt final and led to a triumphant declaration that Steve and Ellen started ignoring after my 4th switch. Steve has done his own dance, but Ellen is, and remains, a solid Obama supporter. When I asked her why, she presented a wonderful analogy:
Let’s say our principal leaves and we have to get a new one. One of the candidates is very experienced but some of the teachers love her and some of the teachers don’t like her at all. Then the other candidate hasn’t been a principal, but all of the teachers are excited about her new ideas, I’d want that principal because the school would work better.
Pretty impressive.
Having taught policy analysis for seven years, I’ve deconstructed every issue in my effort to choose between Hillary and Barack. It didn’t work. I even tried to get on the inspiration vs. experience bandwagon, but that fell flat too. Hillary inspires me and I think too much political experience is attached to too many promises and favors.
All things being pretty equal (and analyzed to death), it unexpectedly came down to a TV commercial.
A couple of nights ago, I was watching TV and a commercial came on that went something like this:
"It’s 3AM and your children are safely snuggled into their beds. You know where they are. They’re sleeping and they are safe."
It shows diverse children in their houses, all covered up and sleeping peacefully.
"Your children are safe, but at 3AM, the phone rings in the White House. There’s a crisis in the world."
OK – at this point, I actually say out loud, “I hate this shit! This is why I don’t like John McCain.”
Then, the voiceover says something like, “When your kids are sleeping and there’s a crisis in the world, don’t you want someone with experience answering the call?
Then it shows Hillary answering the phone.
Oh no! Please tell me she didn’t!
In that moment, I knew that it would be very difficult for me to vote for her. I'm done with politics as usual. I can’t deal with four more years of fear-mongering. This country has been bullied and held emotionally hostage by fear for so long, we can’t even remember what if feels like to not be afraid.
Do I think that there are real, scary issues ahead of us? Yes.
Do I think a country of scared people makes good decisions? No.
Do I think people with power use fear as a tool to manipulate? Everyday.
Republican or Democrat - if you can keep people afraid, especially about their children’s safety, you can sell them anything – from wars to alarm systems. You can also convince them to give up things they thought they’d never give up – like hope and basic rights.
I’m tired of being afraid and Hillary’s willingness to use that to gain my vote, cost her my vote.
Today was a hard day, but maybe this is what voting is supposed to feel like. Maybe it should spark some soul-searching. Maybe we should tremble when we think of the awesome responsibility that comes with the right to vote. I’m not sure I’ve ever had to stand in front of the ballot and choose between two amazing people. What a gift.
I’ll wait to see how this unfolds over the next few months (unfortunately, I think it will take that long). If Hillary is the Democratic nominee for president, I’ll be happy to campaign for her. But, this year is about courage for me, so I’ll also continue to campaign against using fear as a weapon.
Thoughts? Ideas? Agree? Disagree? Respectful discussion is always welcome and appreciated – it’s my favorite part!
Do I think that there are real, scary issues ahead of us? Yes.
Do I think a country of scared people makes good decisions? No.
Do I think people with power use fear as a tool to manipulate? Everyday.
Republican or Democrat - if you can keep people afraid, especially about their children’s safety, you can sell them anything – from wars to alarm systems. You can also convince them to give up things they thought they’d never give up – like hope and basic rights.
I’m tired of being afraid and Hillary’s willingness to use that to gain my vote, cost her my vote.
Today was a hard day, but maybe this is what voting is supposed to feel like. Maybe it should spark some soul-searching. Maybe we should tremble when we think of the awesome responsibility that comes with the right to vote. I’m not sure I’ve ever had to stand in front of the ballot and choose between two amazing people. What a gift.
I’ll wait to see how this unfolds over the next few months (unfortunately, I think it will take that long). If Hillary is the Democratic nominee for president, I’ll be happy to campaign for her. But, this year is about courage for me, so I’ll also continue to campaign against using fear as a weapon.
Thoughts? Ideas? Agree? Disagree? Respectful discussion is always welcome and appreciated – it’s my favorite part!
03.4.2008
Reader Comments (9)
Feeling so thankful that there is a potential for change in this country. And thankful for people who engage themselves in the process.
"Hillary Clinton is a classic commodity provider. She caters to the less-educated, less-pretentious consumer... She offers voters no frills, just commodities: tax credits, federal subsidies and scholarships. She’s got good programs at good prices.
Barack Obama is an experience provider. He attracts the educated consumer (who wants) an uplifting experience so they can persuade themselves that they’re not engaging in a grubby self-interested transaction. They want cultural signifiers that enrich their lives with meaning."
What I want, and what I think the world needs is HOPE. Not just change, but hope that we can change, and things can be done differently.
I swayed myself, but when it came down to it, the change Hillary speaks of isn't really change -- it's pushing things on us that she's already tried to push through Congress for the most part. And that commercial... wow. That's not change at all. That's just a different spin on Bush propaganda really.
I will be happy if either make office, but my heart will be more content with Obama as our leader.
Ok, sorry for hijacking your comments. :)
Sue
(You know from my previous post that I'm an Obama supporter & volunteer for his campaign! I noticed tonight in Clinton's victory speech in Ohio that she ended with "Yes, we will!" Sounds awfully familiar!). Anyway, so glad that you are willing to share your thoughts. Still waiting for the "official" Texas results to come in! Might be waiting a while...
Laurel
If you have 15 minutes and want to see what the US health crisis looks like, this segment from 60 Minutes is very powerful. Of course, unfortunately, most of us don't have to watch TV to know what it means to be uninsured or under-insured.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3898008n
How eloquent and insightful of your daughter. ELLEN for President 2038!!!
It really, truly is a gift. Thanks for the insight.
And Ellen's amazing, by the way!
Love your post about touch-up/acceptance. I'm a big freckle-fan too:-)
And so glad to have a term "knowing laughter" to describe that sensation---when you hear something so true, your soul springs to laughter, even if the thing is more sad than funny. I've learned to listen for that reaction and love your name for it!
I need a president who cares about women's issues and who will take steps to improve things for women in this country. Our problems are invisible to everyone. I know that Hillary is not a feminist activist, but I also know she will have more women in the white house, and the result will be more attention to the "ignored half" of the population. But I don't know what Obama will do and I don't have any reason to think he even sees women's challenges.
finally, here is my GUT feeling: Hillary is real but Obama is just so Perfect.....
and I don't trust perfect.