The headlines of November 5, 2008 were but a distant memory:
McCAIN PULLS OUT 0.05% Upset Victory!!!!
The Electoral College did not lie. 270-268. Massive GOP turnout, coupled with hordes of newly-registered Democratic youngsters and minority voters failing to put up long waits and occasional attempts to complicate their vote combined to keep Obama's Popular vote percentage under 50% - and permit a massive last-minute GOP GOTV push in several major battleground states to trim an apparent Obama 300+ mandate in the final days of the election.
And on this cold, bleak March day, the following conversations were heard all across America:
Mike (student, 19), standing in line at Army physical): I can't believe this. I just started college - and now I have to give up my education and go off to fight in Pakistan! I didn't want this to happen!! McCain promised he would NOT do this!! Damn - I wish Obama hadn't blown it that final weekend!
David: Well, at least you voted for him.
(Long pause. Mike looks down, sheepishly)
You DI vote for him, right?
Mike: I wanted to, but the line was too long
Judy (secretary, 35), in hospital bed, recovering from gall bladder surgery): Mom - I just talked with the administrator. My health insurance at the Save-n-Go won't even begin to cover this. I owe them over $35,000!!!! I'm gonna' have to declare bankruptcy!! My car isn't worth even 1/5 that - and I only have a few thousand in the bank. That $5000 tax credit from McCain isn;t nearly enough to help here. It might just as well be flushed down the drain. What am I going to do? (tears up)
Mom: I wish I had the money to help, dear, but I have my own medical bills - and they're rising every year. My prescriptions are taking a bigger and bigger chunk every month now that the old Medicare Part D has been cut so drastically. I'm so glad that I at least TRIED to do something about it. But let's face it, our votes weren't enough.
(Judy dissolves ointo tears)
Mom: Sweetie - what's wrong?
Judy (through tears): I didn't vote. When I got there, the kids were screaming and it was raining and the line was too long
Alan (database manager, 50), in unemployment line: Nancy (in line behind Alan) Long wait, huh?
Alan: I know. The past 2 months have been brutal for everyone. Who thought unemployment would hit 7%?
Nancy: I know. I thought I was safe working in the health care field. How about you?
Alan: Computers.
Nancy: Jeeze. Who would have thought? Things could have been so much different today if only......(gazes wistfully into space). Oh well, at least it looked like there would be hope last Fall....until....
Alan> I know. I only wish I hadn;t taken thing for granted and not voted.
Nancy: You didn't vote?? Why????
Alan: I thought it was a sure thing. And the line was too long
Please do NOT let this scenario come to fruition!!!!!!
- Vote TODAY if Early Voting is available.
- Vote THIS WEEKEND if you can in your state!!!!!!
- Vote MONDAY (and take the day off from work if you must if oyur state permits it!!!!!!!
- Mail your ABSENTEE BALLOT in TODAY!!!!!
- Get your ass UP and OUT on Tuesday morning (or immediately after work)!!!!!!!