tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post1062410747069711441..comments2024-03-09T13:19:49.767-05:00Comments on House of Lime: A Letter to My Daughters on Election Daylimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17259558876349307173noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-57670452886118100982012-11-07T14:45:21.661-05:002012-11-07T14:45:21.661-05:00I don't necessarily agree that everyone who is...I don't necessarily agree that everyone who is eligible to vote should vote. Some are simply too ignorant to cast an informed vote. It is their responsibility to become educated on the candidates and the issues -- but if they choose not to do so, I'd rather they stay home and do whatever the hell else it is that they think is more important than becoming informed citizens. I believe that every American should jealously and fervently protect their RIGHT to vote, but only exercise that right if they can do so responsibly. I would no more encourage an uneducated, misinformed citizen to go and vote than I would encourage someone lacking in good judgment and self-control to go and exercise their second Amendment right to bear arms or someone intent on looting a business to exercise their right to free assemblly with other like-minded would-be looters! <br /><br />As for the oft-repeated claim that people don't like ANY of the candidates up for election, well, welcome to the real world. The chance of ever finding an "ideal" candidate who espouses EVERYTHING that you (or anyone else) believes in is infinitesimally small. I've voted in a LOT of elections and I've never found someone that I considered "perfect" in every aspect of their belief system -- but, generally, one or another candidate will align in principal with more of the things I believe in than the other candidate(s). If anyone wants a perfect candidate to run, they need to throw their own hat in the ring next time and show us all how it's done. Using the excuse that someone "doesn't like anyone who is running" is just intellectually lazy and doesn't impress me at all. I'm OK with such people not voting because they are, by their very own admission, missing the point of a self-governing society with citizen-politicians entering into public service to represent others who share their beliefs. All that being said, people who don't vote have no room to complain about any aspect of government and how it impacts their lives. Hence, I won't have any patience for complaints from anyone I know who didn't vote yesterday in these next 4 years if they start to complain about the high price of gasoline, energy costs, a weak economy/difficulty in finding a good job, the level of the national debt being passed on to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, their religious freedoms being trampled on by an over-reaching federal government, or having to purchase health insurance or face an IRS-enforced fine, etc. They forfeited their right to whine about those or ANY other matters that result from getting the government that we deserve when they chose not to vote. They can just deal with it. Maybe in 4 years they will decide to become engaged. If not, they can continue to just let life roll over them like a tidal wave and suffer whatever consequences that brings. <br /><br />Rant over.<br /><br />Probably doesn't matter anyway since the world is due to end December 21st... Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074914356054232049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-26624975174775703012012-11-07T12:42:21.462-05:002012-11-07T12:42:21.462-05:00Reese and I were at the polls at 7:30, and clocked...Reese and I were at the polls at 7:30, and clocked in at work by 8:30....Nice Rant!G-Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14968807697181554781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-48003952361482739492012-11-06T23:06:26.932-05:002012-11-06T23:06:26.932-05:00Among other truths, your last sentence is the most...Among other truths, your last sentence is the most important. MY WIFE and I waited in line for 40 minutes to vote. It was worth every minute. We would have gladly waited twice as long (and MY WIFE will tell you that I hate to wait in line for ANYTHING. I've been known to walk away from restaurants when told it would be five minutes before a table was available.) Suldoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778845367184916684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-21909606535445021412012-11-06T21:37:05.265-05:002012-11-06T21:37:05.265-05:00and if that doesn't work for you, take your sh...and if that doesn't work for you, take your shoes off and get back in the kitchen....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-14917786795384562902012-11-06T17:41:02.760-05:002012-11-06T17:41:02.760-05:00I'm the wrong voice to chime in here, as I hav...I'm the wrong voice to chime in here, as I have been a despair and disappointment to all the Fine Citizens in my life many a time. Trying to get me to vote in college just about made one of my roomies pop a blood vessel in her eye.<br /><br />I have voted now, a few times. I'm never sure I'll vote again. My aunt once noted, "Some day, there will be an issue, probably a local one, that matters to you. Then you'll vote." For me, gay marriage is a huge issue, and so I will always vote when it comes to attempting to protect or establish those rights.<br /><br />Part of your girls' right to vote, at this stage in life, is also the right not to vote. Weirdly, it feels like a choice to them.<br /><br />And one day, an issue will matter to them, probably a local one, and they'll vote.Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227519811818290510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-745733051137481872012-11-06T16:20:37.739-05:002012-11-06T16:20:37.739-05:00Stupid smart phone replaced Yeats for years. I hop...Stupid smart phone replaced Yeats for years. I hope this same technology is never used in future voting! We could be voting for Ivan and Ronny (yep those were my auto fill choices for the current candidates)(M)aryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10753777348163655324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-25865933605384606612012-11-06T16:14:45.975-05:002012-11-06T16:14:45.975-05:00Yep. I agree. even if you need to hold your nose w...Yep. I agree. even if you need to hold your nose while you do it., still need to vote. our country will survive thiseleqction and the next 4 Yeats but our cou.try won't survive of folks stop voting. crap.. trying to write this comment on my phone bit I can't see what I am typing so I may appear to be illiterate. (M)aryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10753777348163655324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-28640366163082452752012-11-06T11:08:48.439-05:002012-11-06T11:08:48.439-05:00Lime, assuming your permission, I'd like to bo...Lime, assuming your permission, I'd like to borrow some of your words to have a talk with my own daughter, who has decided not to vote.<br /><br />I stop short of using language like "obligation" or "responsibility," but for Pete's sake--people died so that we can have this privilege!Craver Viihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12882284402568264182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-90695922703186833422012-11-06T10:34:51.693-05:002012-11-06T10:34:51.693-05:00Excellent. I'm heading out to vote in a few m...Excellent. I'm heading out to vote in a few minutes.Other Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09189646933597252108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-43067503156981599222012-11-06T08:56:36.288-05:002012-11-06T08:56:36.288-05:00Great post. Everyone who decides not to vote shoul...Great post. Everyone who decides not to vote should be obliged to read it. I remember my first vote, I had told my dad I wasn't voting because it really didn't change anything. He said, "You do realize people die for the right to vote, don't you? It's your choice, but I would be extremely disappointed if you didn't. Cancel your vote if you have to but vote."<br /><br />I did, and I have every election since then. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-55997618083862016542012-11-06T08:50:20.876-05:002012-11-06T08:50:20.876-05:00when not win ... duh ... when not win ... duh ... Darylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-58709857331163452642012-11-06T08:47:33.493-05:002012-11-06T08:47:33.493-05:00Brava! so well put, so true
back win Stevenson r...Brava! so well put, so true<br /><br />back win Stevenson ran against Ike my dad got stuck at the office and didnt get home in time to vote .. when Ike won, Dad's BFF tortured him for 4 yrs saying it was his fault because EVERY vote counts ... Darylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-33067253140103108962012-11-06T07:44:48.899-05:002012-11-06T07:44:48.899-05:00Wow. Great post, my dear.
Mine are only 6 and 1...Wow. Great post, my dear.<br /><br />Mine are only 6 and 10, and they have the day off from school today, mostly b/c lots of voting happens in the schools, not theirs, but it is a headache to have the kids there on election day so school is out.<br /><br />As am I since I <i>can</i> be and they need minding.<br /><br />Not to mention RI drivers come in 50 out of 50 for worst drivers in the nation, so the likelihood of a kid or two getting run over is not small.<br /><br />Even so, my darling-dear assigned them each to write an essay today explaining who they would vote for if they could and why.<br /><br />Dinner promises to be interesting.<br /><br />A funny tag: one of my sons came up to me and announced "Dad, I think I'm a Socialist." I asked for clarification. He said he meant he liked people, parties &c. Ah. I said: "I think you mean <i>sociaBLE</i>... trust me, it's different."Crickethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07584174478393760131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-21326719595970224112012-11-06T00:41:04.356-05:002012-11-06T00:41:04.356-05:00Voting is your ticket to the national bitchfest. I...Voting is your ticket to the national bitchfest. If you don't vote you shouldn't complain.stephen Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659054447637207734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-38338201192890638232012-11-05T23:19:08.528-05:002012-11-05T23:19:08.528-05:00...I had a man my own age, born and raised in the ...<i>...I had a man my own age, born and raised in the USA tell me in all seriousness that he believed women should not have the right to vote...</i><br /><br />Oh boy! And Americans look down on the Taliban as primitive. Commander Zaiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11000824454124236774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-42061436043258291032012-11-05T23:19:08.106-05:002012-11-05T23:19:08.106-05:00Well said.
I am actually writing a post right no...Well said. <br />I am actually writing a post right now and how it is not only a right, it is a responsibility. This is a gift given to us and paid for with the blood of our forefathers and still defended by our soldiers today. <br /><br />I am not happy with either of the presidential options either, if I'm honest, but I do my research and make as informed decision as I can.<br /><br />Apathy is the worst offense. <br /><br />Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14339665205284492242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-8419503807244532852012-11-05T20:47:24.059-05:002012-11-05T20:47:24.059-05:00We vote as a family, by absentee ballot. My girls...We vote as a family, by absentee ballot. My girls don't have a choice about whether to vote. We force it on them! Bijouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05788630004051883635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-76290767819348654022012-11-05T20:44:46.832-05:002012-11-05T20:44:46.832-05:00Well, I just spoke with 3M (age 24), who was askin...Well, I just spoke with 3M (age 24), who was asking if I would accompany him to the polls, since he's never voted before. Which was news to me; he's opinionated enough that I figured he'd been voting all along. . .Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12044041773404411751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-2621704435003720602012-11-05T20:28:45.375-05:002012-11-05T20:28:45.375-05:00Amen, sister. Voting is an obligation and a privi...Amen, sister. Voting is an obligation and a privilege.Secret Agent Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564690116156754219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17765202.post-69762279646935031712012-11-05T19:52:10.231-05:002012-11-05T19:52:10.231-05:00I hope they change their minds and vote... even if...I hope they change their minds and vote... even if it's only to cancel each other.(not necessarily your) Uncle Skiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705753220273516841noreply@blogger.com