Well, I did it. I voted. Go, Democracy.
I will admit that this is my first time voting even though I have been eligible for a couple other elections. Yes, I know: I'm a bad American. But here's the thing: I have never had any interest in politics - partially because I didn't understand them and partially because they bored me to tears. And I've always held that an uninformed voter isn't necessarily a good thing. As the addage goes: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. And I've always been scared of voting. What if I vote for what I think is right and it comes to pass and brings ruination to us all. I don't want that on my conscience. Everybody walking around saying "This is all your fault."
Plus, I hate lines. That's right: I wasn't voting for the same reason that I don't like going to amusement parks or concerts.
But we're going through some pretty rocky times around here, and I decided that I couldn't afford to remain uninformed and uninterested in the world around me anymore. I couldn't afford to be scared of making the wrong choices any more. I couldn't afford to hate lines anymore. I couldn't afford not to try to stop the bullshit that has been going on for the last 8 years. What is a country, after all, but a huge gathering of people all trying to live together...kinda like The Brady Bunch. And I'm a people. So I have to do my share of the chores just like everybody else...more so since all Marsha does is brush her hair and fawn after football guys and all Jan can do is complain about it. Stupid bitches.
So, I went and voted for the first time. And you know, it wasn't bad at all.
They were holding the polls in a church a couple blocks from my house. So I got off early from work (which is to say I stopped looking at webcomics all day because business is pretty slow in the sign-making market this time of year), I drove home and parked, and took a little stroll down the street. Now, I was slightly concerned about the status of my voter registration because I didn't receive my card in the mail. But I walked in, there was one guy in front of me, they had my name, they gave me my ballot, I made my choices, and 10 minutes later I was back home thinking about the closest place to get some fetuccini alfredo. Painless, quick, easy, and I did the most patriotic thing I've ever done...except for that 4 years in the Army.
And yes, I guess I do feel some sense of civic pride...or that could just be the hunger for the fetuccini.
Happy Jenday!