With about 45 minutes to spare, Mike & I voted today. I felt so unsettled about who to vote for and what to focus on. Who knows what the candidates are really going to support once they are in office?
Without going into detail, I ended up splitting my votes between both democrats and republicans. I had to go with the candidates that I felt would work FOR and not AGAINST. Regardless of who is in office, I feel like government is still just playing the us versus them game...and when that happens, things just aren't done as well as they could be. And while I might not agree with every move the current president has made since taking office, I also think it's illogical to blame all the country's woes on one man's decision-making.
If our government truly is a system of checks and balances, then many people need to own the current problems and be willing to work towards solutions. Including people like me- a fairly average American, who's financial situation could best be described as "teetering on the edge (again)". And from my minimal knowledge of economics, my understanding is that the true impact of today's decisions aren't felt immediately. So it becomes really difficult to play an effective blame game anyway- unless you are a rather savvy economist.
All that aside, I really hope that the fact that I vote DOES make a difference. I hope that the Democratic process really IS all that it is cracked up to be. Many people say we are lucky to have the right the vote, to have this power. But the mere fact that our voting process exists and is peaceful doesn't necessarily make it meaningful. Maybe I am just feeling a bit cynical tonight. I just hope that the results of this election bring about positive changes for those who need it most!! And for all of our current struggles, I am well aware of the fact that there are those with circumstances much more dire than mine.
2 comments:
Well said...and sadly, I think this is what most Americans must want from their government. Only the extremes get the press.
Although Andrew got to vote in KidVote...and he picked Joe because, "His name is easy and I can remember it." I told him that sadly, many adults choose their votes based on non-reasons just like that ;)
You summed up something I couldn't quite figure out how to articulate - that setting out to work against the current administration is unlikely to be productive. I'm so frustrated when I hear that the #1 goal is to make Obama a one term president. How about the goal being to help the people in America who are truly struggling right now?
Glad you got to vote!
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