A small responsibility...

In case you didn't know, today is election day. Actually, if you haven't noticed it is election day you're probably living under a very well secluded rock somewhere. I voted early this year and that's been something of a relief when I hear of the long lines some of my colleagues are and have endured. I, for one, will be glad to come home to a mailbox with real mail in it and not the overstuffed political catch all it had become. But, I also know that political ads and arguments aside, voting is the right thing to do. And that is the bottom line.

I have a preference for President and I'm sure you do too. Maybe we even agree. The thing is, while I want my candidate to win, I applaud your right to vote and hope you are using that right today. My friends from abroad have been making their preferences known to me as well which points to the importance of this, and all, elections. We don't live in a vacuum  We live in this world, big and glorious and full of issues that demand our global attention. People all over the world are watching and what we do matters...a lot.

I'm a big believer that one person can make a difference. I believe in the ripple effect. I think we sometimes start thinking that our small voice or our small actions don't amount to much. Trust me, they do. I've seen it happen where I work. One person, responding with kindness, with no expectations of anything in return, can start a spark that can turn into a flame!

And that's what your vote can do. Today I saw people who feel like the fringe of society get out and rock the vote. The folks I work with, our clients, often don't feel like they belong anywhere but today they were very sure they belonged in that line with all of the other citizens. The strength they felt from being heard in the polling places was infectious. As it should be.

You matter. Your vote counts. It makes a difference and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Cynics and political whiz kids can argue until they're blue in the face. You're important to the state of our country and, consequently, our world. Don't take that responsibility lightly. It's a gift that some others in the world may never know. And whether your candidate wins or loses, know that, at the end of this election day, you did the right thing.

I need suggestions....

and since I only have one reader, yes Van, I'm talking to you! Haha!

I love to read and lately ever book I've picked up has been some abominal mess that has bored me to tears. Give me some titles!

Now onto other business...

We're having a Mayoral election here soon. Our current Mayor who's done much to turn this little city around and brought much business, culture and visual improvement to us has decided not to run. Last night on a local access channel they aired a debate of sorts for those who have decided to run. All I can say is SHEESH! There were six candidates but one has dropped out. More about him later. Anywho - candidate #1's claim to fame is that he has his own local access talk show and he thinks he is the reincarnation of Johnny Carson except without the sense of humor. He has never worked in city government. In fact, I don't think he's ever worked at all at anything. #2 is a nice guy but he's about 110 years old and kept talking about how the city was better off 35 years ago. Thirty five years ago the city lost it's most important employer which sent the entire city into a decade of blight and poverty. Man #3 is someone who is so soft spoken he could barely speak when asked a question. He had some good ideas but was getting walked all over during the one hour debate. #4 is a woman who works in the Operations Dept. of the city and her answers to the qeustions were almost undecipherable. Mister #5 used to be Mayor at one time. He quit and went to take another job in another city. Then he was sued by Kenosha for something he had done in his short term and he completely lost it. He showed up at his hearing toting a gun. Besides that he looks very much like Gomez Adams. Now candidate #6 - the drop out candidate - also has his own local access show. It's called Dr. Destruction's Crimson Theatre (no shit) and he dresses in full on goth/Herman Munster make up...even in his off time. He's a musician who used to front a band called Die Monster Die. Here's the thing - he dropped out because, obviously, people were not taking him seriously but before he dropped out I got the chance to hear him speak about the city and the direction he would like to take it. He was good! I probably would have voted for him. I guess most people can't concieve of having someone in full goth/Herman Munster make up running city hall. Haha!

So, who to vote for? I have no idea. This is really going to be one of those eeny meeny miney moe choices for me and, probably, most of the citizens of Kenosha, WI.