« no matter what happens, everything changes »
Manzanita beach, Oregon. Photographed August 11, 2008.
As you've likely noticed, I work very hard to keep politics off of this site: while I do have some very strongly held opinions on the subject, I find that politics in general, and opinions about politics, specifically, tend to polarize people -- and I've never wanted Chookooloonks to be a place that polarizes. Besides, the fact is that there are tons of sites out there that spout all sorts of opinions, and spin, and heaven knows what else; Chookooloonks has been a place where (I hope) you've been able to find some respite from all the craziness.
However, today, election day here in the United States, everything is about to change. Regardless of who wins the election, in my opinion this has been one of the hottest, most contentious races in recent history. Regardless of who wins the election, there will be a new president of the United States, the first new American leader in 8 years, and the results of this election will have global impact. Regardless of who wins the election, things are going to change.
And, for the first time since I became a U.S. citizen 14 years ago, I find myself really emotionally invested in the outcome: dear God, I care. I really, really care.
And so, I'm afraid I don't have much to say that is non-political today: I voted two weeks ago, so instead of heading to the polls I will likely spend my day obsessing about the outcome, and will likely try very hard not to watch the returns minute-by-minute, and will likely fail miserably. In fact, the only thing I can possibly think of to say that isn't polarizing is the following:
If you are a registered American voter, then please, please, please go vote. As individuals, we all struggle so hard to be really seen, and really heard, by our families, coworkers, friends, and certainly, by our governments. The opportunity to vote is one of those times when you get to draw a line in the sand, put your stake in the ground, and do whatever other metaphor you can think of that says, "hear me, dammit. I count. I matter. I believe this to be true." The act of pulling that lever, or pressing that button, or clicking that icon is a very, very powerful thing. Do not believe that your vote doesn't matter. It matters. It so matters.
With that, I am off to start obsessing. See you on the other side ... after everything changes.
Song: Change the world, as performed by Babyface and Trisha Yearwood. I love that these two people, from such different musical genres, got together to do this great song. And somehow, it seems particularly appropriate for today.
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 11:59PM
Reader Comments (12)
There's no early voting in Pennsylvania, so today I get to vote and obsess. Which I guess means I have a very busy day ahead of me. :)
I voted by mail here in Oregon, so I voted early, too. I will be obsessing, but probably won't start until later in the afternoon.
I get it about wanting to stand in a position that unites. I tried that, too--not posting an opinion. This year, however, more than any other (and I have been a citizen my whole life)...I first voted in 1972...or was it 1976?...I, too, care. I am so invested in this outcome--even more than in 2004. I just finished writing a post about voting.
Vote. Even if we disagree...vote. Yeah, what she said.
I know you're trying to be non-political... But as soon as I saw your song choice for today I thought of this video which is just too moving not to share... Starts off with "We can change the world"
REGARDLESS of your political affiliations and views, the message is so true... we can change the world. I loved it. It moved me to tears the first 2 times I watched it. Hope you don't mind me posting the link here. (to all the other visitors to Chookooloonks, I can't vote, I'm not American, I was just touched by this video. Please don't hold Karen responsible if you don't like it)
We can change the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSJsEVf0pU
Get out there and vote for your leader of choice...
I hear you Karen. Growing up in Latin America I learned to ignore politics and always felt total apathy for the political process (what for? nothing ever changes!). Then I moved to the US and well, I was the foreigner, I could not vote, etc, etc. So you know, I was always watching from the sidelines. THIS time however, everything is different. I became a US citizen this past April I have been consumed with the election since the beginning of the year. My husband is a political junkie and we talk politics non-stop (fortunately we agree!). I can hardly recognize myself. I am so invested in it, I care so very deeply. It's really a wonderful thing. I probably should have voted early as I am almost 35 weeks pregnant but I really wanted to wait for election day so I could drink it all in. I don't care if I have to wait in line. This newly minted citizen is going to finally have a voice and I.can't.wait.
See you on the other side.
I'm obsessing right here with you, so ready for it to be over so we can move forward. I've never been so excited about an election in my life, I've tried to impress on my kids just how important and monumental this one is. Can't wait to see you on the other side.
I'm feeling the same way, Karen. I voted early, so all I am doing today is worrying. On one hand, I can't wait, and on the other, it's difficult to imagine that barring something very unexpected, after tonight this is finally going to be over and something IS going to change.
I cannot watch anything. I wish I can sleep all day until I hear the final news.
As a girl who wishes her citizenship came back sooner so that she could vote I am vocal about people getting out there to vote. I woke up this morning with the same feeling I got on Christmas mornings as a child I felt a sense of anticipation that I have not felt in a while. I have this intense feeling of nerves and happiness all at once. Regardless of how you vote get out there and do it...use your voice to make a change and take a stand!! T
It's a wonderful, exciting day. You're right, no matter what happens, there will be change. Unfortunately, regardless of the outcome, approximately half the country will be disappointed. But you know what? That means the other half will be happy. That's a much higher percentage than W's current approval rating, so having half a happy country will be a tremendous improvement.
The weight of today had me up all night. You are right today is a historic day.