Rock The VOTE

When was the first time you got out to "Rock The Vote"? I remember being so excited to be part of the political process. That I had finally come of age and my voice mattered. How Geoff and I remained together through this very process says a lot about listening to another point of view and having respect for them, even if you disagree. Geoff was more Republican/Independent and I was a hardcore Democrat. Bill Clinton still had brown hair and he spoke volumes to people my age. I was a tree hugger and Geoff was gun tote'n hunting man.

I did not grow up in a house with gun's. Suddenly having one sitting in my apartment was very unsettling for me. I was afraid that it would "just" go off and no level of reassurance from Geoff would make that panic subside. Gun laws and gun control were needed in my opinion. In Geoff's opinion they were encroaching his freedom's as a hunter. We didn't fight over this issue but instead had some intense conversations about freedom and rights. And really, what laws were put into effect when Lincoln was shot? At the end of the day if someone is determined to cause harm to another they are going to find a way to do it. No matter what laws, rules and regulations are in place. And for the record: I learned how to handle a gun. I learned how to make sure that the safety is on. I learned how to check the barrels to make sure they are empty. I also learned how to load those barrels. I learned how to shoot and I learned that if you educate yourself on any subject you no longer have a ton of misguided fear.

As time went on I felt disillusioned by my expectations of voting. I was disappointed in my choice [personal opinion no need to get ruffled on this] When it came time for re-election I didn't vote. I felt amazingly guilty for not voting. I couldn't complain about any of it nor could I take pride if I agreed with it. My own personal voice was eliminated from the mix because I made a choice not to vote that year. Besides, it was all about blue dresses, secret recorded phone calls, understanding the definition of "IS" or what "Sexual Relations" means. Let us not forget Ken Star. Or should we? I will ask this one question for those of you who may remember: Why are we so willing to put former President Clinton on a pedestal when a little over a decade prior Gary Hart was crucified for doing essentially the same thing. "Have you checked your morals?" "Yes, at the door."

And then, then came the doozie of all voting doozies. A generation of people who now fully understand what the definition of "is" isn't and "The Chad". Who knew that dangley bits of paper from a hole punch had such a name? And I'm mocked for wanting to name my dog Steve? Seriously. This was by far the best of the political process. A country on the edge waiting for the final, final, final round of votes to be counted. An entire country hung in the balance of Broward County to figure out the "true" vote of the people. It was by far the most ridiculous time in politics and launched me into a new realm of surrealism. At that time I was working in Massachusetts. Just to drive my little knife of discontent into the heartland of Democrats I hung this poster outside of my office:

Somethings cannot be helped even if they are socially unacceptable. And from the moment the decision was made the country has been divided. Hate Republicans! Hate Democrats! Hate Them ALL! And what was that idiotic tiraid that Matt Damon came out with about Sarah Palin???? Here's a thought Matt...why don't you stick to making movies and promoting your movies and not use your 5 minutes of fame to pontificate your political views to the masses. This one interview enraged me so much that I banned his movies from my life forever. Nothing irritates me more then "Movie Stars" trying to be more than the glitter that Hollywood made them out of. WE ALL have the right to our opinions however us low life's don't have the medium of Hollywood Stature to play upon. And Mr. Damon if we are going to sling ignorance out into the universe let me remind you that Bill Clinton was the third youngest president of the United States and only governed the State of Arkansas for one term. Lets just hope that your botox doesn't run out before your career.

All this B.S. has soured me because there is "Political Religion" out there on both sides of the spectrum. I'm waiting for that person who can merge the middle and find some respect for both sides. I believe the children are our future....[oh Whitney, you are another entire blog post] I also believe [as someone once told me] that you can only milk a turnip for so long until there is no more milk.

Today is your chance to have your voice heard. Vote with your heart. Vote with intelligence. If you don't know your candidates go to their web sites. Read about them. Don't vote based on mud slinging adds. Don't vote based on what the media thinks. Vote for what you believe in. And don't ever feel that your voice doesn't matter. This process is part of what made this country beautiful. This process is what built our country. Freedom and Liberty ~ For All.