Post-Electoral post

Dear America,

Thank you!

Love,
Ayla

P.S. But I'm not too happy about all the states that voted to Hate the Gays. Let's work on that, people!



Look around
We’re living with the lost and found
Just when you feel you’ve almost drowned
You find yourself on solid ground
And you believe

There’s good in everybody’s heart
Keep it safe and sound
With hope, you can do your part
To turn a life around

I cannot believe my eyes
Is the world finally growing wise
‘Cause it seems to me
Some kind of harmony
Is on the rise...

-Joss Whedon, My Eyes (from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, a 'blog far superior to my own.)

special Tuesday election post! For America.

(I did, too! Two weeks ago!)

Dear America,

As you go to the polls today-- and come on! You better go to the polls today! And if you don't, you automatically forfeit your right to whine about anything the next president does for the next four years. Anyway, as you go the polls today, please remember this: "I'd have a beer with him" is not a qualification for political office, nor is "I'd tap that." And that last one goes for Obama fans as well as Palin milf-hunters. (I don't think there are many people voting for McCain because of his sexy body.) If When you vote today, vote for whoever you agree with most. If you're not sure what the candidates stand for, find out! It's not that hard.

Love,
Your absentee daughter Ayla

I'm going to be up late watching the news at Jenn and Bri's apartment. Even though we won't even begin to get results until after midnight here, and Bri voted for McCain while Jenn and I are Obama ladies, we are still going to make "American snacks" (whatever those are!) and watch the coverage. I'm hoping that one of the channels will have the Daily Show's live coverage. It's just not the same with out Jon Stewart's boyish grin and silly commentary!

And I leave you with this:

(click for full-size)

Indecision 2008 (Or, Vote for Tim!)

Sorry for the deluge of posts, but something even more interesting today happened, and I felt I should share.

I got my absentee ballot in the mail today! (I get to vote before you, nyah nyah!) This is what an absentee voter looks like:


I very glad that I'm voting absentee, actually-- I've been so out of touch with Michigan and Ottawa County that I was surprised by a number of things on the ballot. There are medical marijuana and stem cell research initiatives! Though, if Michigan ("The State That Banned Gay Marriage and Only Votes Democratic Because of the Labor Unions") passes a medical marijuana bill, I will be very shocked. Pleasantly so, but still. Also, it looks like Ottawa County is FINALLY trying to get rid of that "no beer or wine sold on Sundays" crap. (But liquor is ok. If they keep it, come Christmas break I'm going to go to a restaurant on a Sunday and order a glass of wine. When the server informs me that, sorry, can't sell beer or wine on Sunday, I'll say "Right then! Five tequila shooters. Line 'em up.")

Anyway. The most surprising thing I found on the ballot would have to be this:
(Click to enlarge)


Tim Winslow? As in, Tim Winslow, Spring Lake High School class of 1999, who sat next to me in band? Yep. According to timwinslow.com won the primary on 5 August.

So, Tim Winslow officially has my endorsement for state rep! Vote for Tim!

(Man. You think you start feeling old when your friends are getting married and having babies? Try when people you went to high school with are running for government offices.)

and now for something completely different

I am officially done with my first semester as a postgraduate student. I handed in my last essay yesterday afternoon, after a rather brutal night spent writing it. I have much to talk about in this 'blog... but I'm not going to discuss it today. You can expect more entries this week, breaking from my usual Sunday schedule

Right now, though, instead of Ireland I'm going to talk about America.

I have made up my mind that I am absolutely going to vote for Dennis Kucinich. I've admired him for a long time, and this video made me love him just a little more:


As one of those way-too-many Americans who has no kind of health care whatsoever, I agree that it should be made a priority. This summer, I turned twenty-three and had to go off my parents' insurance, and I certainly can't afford my own right now. I recently informally polled my friends to see how many people in my general age group had health insurance. It was about 60%-- 40% were completely uninsured.

I've heard people joke about elections and say "Who are you voting for?" "A rich person who I have nothing in common with." Dennis Kucinich may get a congressman's salary (I have no idea how much they get paid, but I assume we take care of our Reps, especially as they vote on their own pay) but I feel like he knows where people like me are coming from. Dennis Kucinich has his priorities more in line with what I believe than any candidate I've ever seen.

I know he probably won't win. He's an underdog. Still, I've finally found a candidate who I can actually support. (I voted for Kerry last time. I didn't particularly like him-- I recall the website johnkerryisadouchebagbutimvotingforhimanyway.com-- but it was really a lesser-of-two-evils situation.) You may think I'm being young and idealistic and throwing away my vote, but it's really not the case. In fact, I'm cynical enough to feel like no one I vote for will ever make it, or make a difference, so I might as well throw my vote away for something I believe in.

Besides, Kucinich lived in a car when he was 17. Now there is a man I feel can understand my needs.