Yes, today is that special day that only happens once or twice a year. That day when the choking vapors of bleakness dissipate with the new dawn of opportunity. A day where past mistakes are rectified and promising new things are nurtured into growth. A day where…oh, forget it. Who am I kidding? Today is election day and I am mad.
One of my faults is a cynical streak. Mostly, I am a realist or an optimist or some amalgamation of both. I want to believe the best of people/organizations/situations, but I like to prepare for the worst. Everyone makes mistakes, (though politicians campaigning would have us believe only their opponent has this problem). Didn’t some angry voter quip,”To err is human, to forgive, unheard of?” Witness any blubbering politician holding a news conference to admit to the long denied illegal or immoral act. Yup, a cynic.
My cheerful attitude was all set to coast through this election season, smile plastered on…and then the dreaded ads started. Annoying at first, but one can always flip the page of the newspaper (yes, I am a dinosaur and read the news on paper) and carry on. Afterwards, and closer to that fateful day, we are treated to a barrage of piffle on the radio. Even my beloved classic radio station, KLEF, is not immune. Forty minutes of dire or folksy political advertisements and twenty minutes of music. Inspiring! (A cynic or realist here, you choose.)
How often one hears a particular candidate on the radio is in direct proportion to: how irritating their little jingle is, how much money they have in their political war chest, or how far their views are from one’s own. I haven’t turned the on radio in days. When one expects to hear a harmless number from Tchaikovsky or Copeland, and ends up with hot air instead (and not from the horn section), lips are pursed, teeth are ground, and radios are flipped off. I’ve even taken to muttering.
Why all this spleen? I am rather sick of hearing how a certain candidate or proposition is going to heal all wounds and set the choir singing and the alternative is bankruptcy, joblessness, children suffering, angry mobs, and old folks having to fund their retirements by working in sweatshops. OK, enough inner cynic, enough!
People are risking their lives and dying on a daily basis to have this privelege I am fussing about, so I realize that my biannual peeve is just this: grumpiness. I hereby resolve to grow up and be more thankful for my opportunity to vote. And the cynic in me is trying mightily not to be discouraged by the symbolism of a strong wind this morning, blowing lots of cold, wet snow into town. Slick, near whiteout conditions whilst driving to my polling place. Is there a double meaning in that?
*Lyrics from “Loser” by Beck
Stood in line to vote lately? A shout out for a beloved politician or ad?
Coming up to elections here, and our mayor has just changed parties. They call them crosstitutes.
ReplyDelete@EE,
ReplyDeleteWell, change is the byword these days, isn't it? Crosstitutes is a new one for me...thanks!
CB
Stop by my blog. You are the recipient of the “Stylish Bloggers Award”. This high honor comes with much responsibility and a nifty emblem. jim
ReplyDeleteWe're suffering the aftermath of our election where the government stick out their tongues and say there fooled you! - you didn't really believe what our manifesto said did you?
ReplyDeleteWe-the-people have the majority control over USA GDP.
ReplyDeleteThe last time we-the-people gathered together a nation was formed.
Is it any wonder government wants us to stay sheep?
Divide & conquer.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Well, two of our officials were on TV last night with one off to jail, the other before a judge. Our last mayor is sitting in jail on accepting bribes, and you are cynical? I have gone way beyond cynical. I gave up a position recently because the commission on which I had a seat, placed a crony and supporter as the head. No experience and he had only a fifth grade education. I stood up and announced that I quit and was insulted by this appointment. So beyond cynical all the way to giving up.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. Canada has just been launched into a federal election and we are also having a provincial election on top of that. I have given up on watching tv or listening to radio for the next several months. what's the point of listening when they are all attack ads anyway?
ReplyDeleteHi Christine Dear, Your cynicism is well-founded. You'd think by now we as a people would get the message behind the message. Nothing is going to change really. It's just the politicos doing their political thing. How can one NOT be cynical?
ReplyDeleteWe have vote-by-mail in Oregon so no waiting in line. That would be enough to send me over the edge. Still I'm always glad when election day is over.
Cool and wet here. We're getting another burst of winter too, if it's any consolation. Where is spring?
@Jim GrobleThanks for the shout out, Jim. Now I shall graduate from "me" to the royal "we" (me and my award).
ReplyDelete@Green Lane Allotments,
Luckily, the government here never really gets much done, so the aftermath isn't as devastating as it could be: I believe they nominated a state firearm, an achievement indeed.
@Tara Dillard,
If we are sheep, I'd like to see us sprout some fangs or start carrying lacrosse sticks around to chasten our awful "shephards."
@gardenwalkgardentalk,
No, not a true cynic because you took a stand. A true cynic would have used this information for personal gain, like a jumping off point to run for office, eh?
@Marguerite,
I reccommend a vacation to Alaska for a few months...we're all done for awhile so you should be safe.
@Grace,
Ignorance might be the only answer for cynicism, the more we know, the madder we get. Spring took a vacation in Phoenix and I don't expect to see her for a month yet.
CB
Sometimes voting and the election season seems like a big chore, then I remember the people who died or went through heck to ensure that we get the right to vote and I suck it up and head to the polls.
ReplyDeleteHope your election turned out for the best.
Crosstitutes.. absolutely love it.
ReplyDelete