Choices

Don't you feel that people who live in a country where their vote (sort of) counts should exercise their voting power or else shut up and quit the sniveling?

I have never voted my entire life yet I do bi-continental whining whenever possible. The latest sabotage is only a few short weeks past. Newly acquired husband and I trashed our local election ballot slipped under out door (Without the booths in some courthouse or other, ceremonially putting that piece of paper into that mail box or piggie bank looking container, this did not seem fun and also we didn't have a stamp). A few weeks later we burned the warning notice that arrived informing us that it was our duty to vote.

I don't vote in the motherland because I still mentally live in 1993 (bangles, bangs, Kurt Cobain) and some might argue I have lost touch with the more current issues. After Americanization the nice war veteran man with his registration desk blocked the way from the swearing in ceremony to the parking lot but we were in a hurry to get a celebratory pint in before returning to work. I justify this because I think my vote is useless in Massachusetts.

However, I am currently claiming US residency in Dade county, Florida, and it appears that last time or was it the time before, we had a bit of a, ehem, problem with counting and things. How do you say, make my brother president? Ask my governor.

I am not Haitian nor elderly, but when push comes to shove, the new and shiny machines (manufactured by whom again?) might just not be able to read my vote. Maybe there will be some extra choices on the ballots? Or some names missing? Or the mark, sign, circle (how does this work?) already made for me? Add to that the problematique of being an absentee voter who is pretty much a deserter and does not deserve a ballot all, even one with only one name to chose from on it, and you see my excuses piled up high. Do I actually believe all the conspiracy theories? Not really, but do I know what actually happened last time? No. Maybe the media was bought along with the presidency. Bad me, more conspiracy theories.

I might as well go to the London Democrats abroad party in that very pretty building they have, mingle with those Americans who make me believe that all of America will vote Democrat, the same people who last time around apparently could not fathom the outcome being what it was, who were genuinely surprised, the same people who have lost touch with all their compatriots, especially the ones living in the middle of that country, the ones with the big trucks and the shotguns and the mega churches. Instead of going through the pain of reacquainting themselves with those folks, they have created a happy place for themselves right here near the bosom of the Queen. During this joyous season we can be happy to know that Americans everywhere are just like us: making a difference, one cocktail at a time.