With Election Day just hours away, lets take time to give some of our more apolitical friends and relatives a gentle nudge to the polls. Even if you can't volunteer your time for a campaign, this is something you can do to help.
To be honest with you, I could have helped more. As a concerned Californian I've given some money to the McNerney and Charlie Brown Campaigns but this year I have not walked any precincts with anybody. Last time around I was stuffing mailers, manning phone banks and going door to dooe against the Schwarzenegger propositions, this time has seen me do a whole lot of nothing. A new job has given me financial freedom but at the same time has sapped me of all my energy with cross-country business trips. Instead of having boundless energy to do good, I was trying to rebuild my social life.
Last Saturday I had two choices, I could have either:
A. Take up kid oakland's offer
and walk some precincts in CA-11.
-or-
B. Go to Berkeley, get stupid stupid drunk and watch the Cal-UCLA game with a group of friends.
I chose B (Cal won 24-38, by the way), and for that, my fellow Kossacks, please forgive me.
The fact remains that there are still things for slackers like us to do. Get the people who you are in contact with day in and day out to vote. It's not that hard and these little things do make a difference.
Take my family, for instance. The last time both of my parents voted on the same election was in 1996. Since I started voting in 2000, my parents have ceased to vote with any regularity.
My dad is the worst, he always finds something to complain about. Usually, he grouses on something related to the massive waste the War in Iraq has caused and how America has its humility. After every one of his tirades I've always asked, "Did you vote, dad?"
He then goes on to explain that he didn't need to vote in 2004 and 2000 because he knew Bush would win and the vote would be in vain. I countered that Bush is only one part of the equation there are many local races and proprositions on the ballot. There are many propositions any ballot, the is California. Also I said that when you don't vote, you silently cast a vote for the status quo. If you don't like what you see about America, vote.
For the last week and a half I've been pestering everybody I know about the election. Even when I was drunk on Tightwad hill I was still mumbling about the props (...Clean Energy...GO!!! BEARS!!!). And you know what, my dad will vote for the first time since the recall election. My mom will vote for the first time since 2000. Even my cousin who cares more about electronic gadgets than politics will vote. I've talked to friends, co-workers and family.
There is still stuff for us slackers to do besides preaching to the choir on Daily Kos. Yes, we can help even if we live in a solid Dem district like CA-13. Just talk to those you know and get them to vote.
GOTV starts at home.