Today's the Day

I know that everybody's busy. Actually, I'm not very busy b/c I'm on vacation this week, but I know that in general most everyone is extremely busy all the time. It's hard to find a few minutes to run errands and do the stuff that's not as much fun as playing Rock Band or eating jalapeno poppers.

Today, however, forget how busy you are for a little while and go vote. I'm reading stories about long lines at the polls, and I know some people are groaning about this. (btw, like how I'm using the George W. Bush straw man-style of argument? you know, like "...there are some in this country who hate freedom", or..."there are some in America who say we should let the terrorists win.", when there are no people who say that crap. Sorry. Tangent)

We should be excited so many people are voting. It means that people are paying attention to the world around us for a change and are willing to do something about it. That rules.

It might mean that you have a 2-hour line at the polling center. Big deal. Take a book (I know that for some the idea of reading and civic duty in one day is scary, but try to keep up), talk on the phone, whatever. Just don't say that you're too busy.

I was in line at the store yesterday (after voting—gotta love in-person absentee action), and was listening to this lady talking about her relatives in South Africa waiting in line for 3 days to vote. Seriously. We would never wait 3 days for anything, except maybe Star Wars tickets or a Wii.

That's a 'we had to walk uphill both ways' kind of example, but my point is that we're lucky to have this right, and for most of us, we won't have to wait more than a little bit. We're also lucky to have an employer that encourages us to go vote (most of us at least). So do it, and feel good about yourself for a day.

I also hear, at least in DC, that your 'I Voted Today' sticker is good for a free Starbucks. So there. Vote for free coffee. Just vote, dammit.