Vote No on Say What?

I have my little cheat-sheet all ready to go. There’s not much stuff to vote on this year and, other than the presidential race, not a very interesting ballot. Most of the political attention in New York doesn’t even involve a vote but is focused on our mayor who, in a blatant power grab, got himself and other city officials in line to be able to run for a third term in office, which is completely against two referendums voted on by the citizens of NYC. It will be interesting in 2009 to see whether or not we will remember that we got trampled in 2008 and if we can ignore major big-buck campaigning and throw the bastids out on their (r)ear(s) next year.

I think it will only take me a few minutes to vote and it should be a fairly easy process compared to other states, especially California. California is certainly in a state this year with so much to vote on it’s mind boggling. There are 12 State Propositions, some of major importance not only to California but to the rest of the U.S./continent/world. The hot button is Proposition 8 (same-sex marriage) but there are many more that are proving contentious and divisive. Watching television in San Francisco is almost impossible with the barrage of exhortations to vote Yes, No, or Get Outta Here! When the phone rings it is usually a special-interest robo-recording with no chance for a response other than slamming down the receiver. Walking down any given street is almost hazardous with face-to-face appeals from one party or another, or one faction or another; but one thing they all have in common is the hand out, palm up, begging for silver and/or green to pay for their cause(s).

Okay, 12 Propositions doesn’t sound too bad; the average person can make an educated decision without much trouble and vote his/her conscience and/or pocketbook. However, and this is the mind numbing part, there is also a list of County/City Propositions, numbering A through V! That’s right, THIRTY TWO more. Some are important, some are frivolous (naming a local sewage plant after George W. Bush) but, overall, too much to deal with all at once. The voter guide, including two supplements, is almost an inch thick! And this is all on top of voting for various candidates: local, state and presidential. Talk about needing a cheat sheet! Talk about awkward and discouragingly long lines at voting precincts. The smart folks who could, voted early. It will be interesting to be able to observe from an east coast birds eye view without having to participate. I don’t know whether to be relieved or jealous not to have to attend this particular curiouser and curiouser tea party.

Throughout the U.S. a record numbers of citizens have registered to vote this year but that doesn’t mean they will. In the past voter turnout has been a measly 54% and I just wonder how much the current Obama/McCain carnival will turn from interest into apathy when a voter has to face standing in line for hours. Tonight will be interesting…if I don’t sleep through it. Is Family Guy on Channel 11?

Update November 5, 2008: Well, that was cool and worth staying up for. O's speech was inspiring, hey, wot? Being allowed to be cautiously optimistic is certainly refreshing. At the same time I'm FURIOUS at the 52% of voters in California who crushed Proposition 8. Bummer.