Post Election Red, White & Blues

Patriotic Basket ID: 206570

© Joseph Helfenberger | Dreamstime Stock Photos

When your team like the Baltimore Ravens beats the Pittsburgh Steelers, nothing in your life changes fundamentally, other than a temporary emotional response. And a discount on Papa Johns pizza, but I wouldn't call that a "win". When your team like the Ravens loses to the Steelers, the same holds true. Because that's sports.

Politics is played like sports. Team colors, trash talking and a really subjective view, especially when a flag is thrown and penalties are called on your team. But governing is not politics. It is not sports. And it has many impacts on our lives. And it isn't down to one leader (President, Governor, Senator), or body (Congress, Justice Department, DMV), but the whole dysfunctional system.

They don't read your Facebook posts, but they do read your emails, petitions, letters and phone messages. Regardless of your "side", which for many truly is neither, I like to think the team is all of us. So I'll continue to vote, and continue to write and call the many different people in the system. It may not make the change I want directly, but it does make a difference.

Lawn Voting: Don't Tell, Didn't Ask

Eventually I came to realize metal lawn darts were a bad idea, but at the time they were popular and fun, and I understood how to use them. And they reflected the sentiment of the era in which I grew up (the 70s): Don’t impale yourself when throwing a weighted, steel projectile straight up into the air, then jumping out of the way at the last possible second of its descent. And walk it off if you do. I was also nine at the time.

I’ve never thought posting a sign in your front lawn declaring your political choice was a good idea; and it's definitely not neighborly.

I’m really enjoying all of the excitement around the upcoming presidential election, and the wonderful parody that comes with it. What I’m not enjoying are election signs popping up in people’s yards everywhere.

Voting is personal and private. When you head to the polls, you make your vote alone, without accompaniment or pressure, and with some form of confidentiality. It is a cherished right and privilege. Freedom of speech is also a cherished right and privilege, but it’s not an obligation.

I love macaroni and cheese. I don’t post it in sign form in my yard, or my window, or even on the bumper of my car. And if I did, it wouldn't be meant to taunt those who are carb-conscious or lactose intolerant, or simply love hummus more.

For my neighbors, I want to know how your procedure went at the hospital, how your daughter is doing in college, that "it's a boy!" or how your son’s soccer game went. I don’t want to know your politics.

Posting your choice of candidate(s) doesn’t inspire or influence the votes of others, including the undecided. It actually seems intimidating or, at a minimum, challenging – “That’s right, MF. I’m voting for so & so. I dare you to challenge me.”

If you’re into politics, or civic involvement, that’s awesome. Support your candidate. Get people registered. Offer your insights, opinions or anecdotes in the appropriate forum: political rallies, letters to the editor, public hearings, even a blog.

Sharing your vote or affiliation where it’s not invited doesn’t bring you closer to me if we’re aligned in our choice, and may even polarize us if we are not. So with all due (or undue) respect, please stop posting your vote on your lawn. It doesn’t count from there anyway.

When Did Politics Become Such a Spectator Sport?

I know we’re in the oversaturation-of-information age, and we feel inundated with stories about Britney, but there is so much coverage of the 2008 Campaign I feel like I’m living in an Orwell novel.

“Did you vote?” “What do you think of Obama or Hillary?” “Do you think McCain will do it or does Huckabee still have a chance?” What I think is honestly none of your business, and it shouldn’t matter to you. I wish it didn’t matter to you. You see, once you know what I’m thinking, you can slot me: I’m either with you or against you. I’m either fair-minded and intelligent or a complete and total moron.

Whenever I get into political discussions with friends, if there’s a difference of opinion, it’s rare that we listen to each other with open minds. We wait for our turns to speak, often yelling over each other, and simply try to show just how wrong the other person is.

It’s just like sports. “Oh, you’re a Yankees fan! Figures.” Once you know I’m considering an opponent, or not your candidate, your entire opinion changes, and often quite harshly.

Maybe we should start selling jerseys, blue or red naturally, with names and electoral numbers so everyone can go out and root for their fave. And we’ll know exactly what you’re thinking by the color of your jersey. Except we won’t, of course. No one party or candidate can ever sum up our personal thoughts or perspectives on different issues. I have different opinions on different topics; they could never be formed into one platform, represented by one party or shared by one candidate.

I don’t care how attractive or unattractive the candidates are. We elect orators. We elect the photogenic. We have to sift through marketed imagery and slogans, and more misinformation than a 4-year-old telling you how the spaceman broke the lamp. What we don’t get to base our vote on is someone’s honesty. I’m not saying any of the candidates in particular are dishonest – just that we can never truly know what they’re thinking without all of the various marionette strings helping them through the campaign.

I want to be represented by someone who will actually weigh each situation intelligently without preconception, instead of heading into office with all the answers ahead of time and a fully hand-picked staff.

I cherish my rights to free speech, to vote and to privacy. I think we could all exercise a little more of the latter.