Do you vote in political elections?
Disclaimer: This is a sensitive topic. I won’t be hurt if you decide to not read it.
I can remember my first election where I was eligible to vote was in 2004. Bush and Kerry were facing off and I managed to get picked as an alternate delegate.
The orignally selected delegate was unable to attend and so I was activated and went to cast our ballot at the primaries.
I recall the exciting energy that seemed to suffused the air. Neighbors who normally were quite reserved had become animated and agitated.
The actual casting of the vote was sobering and I found myself back at school with little changed.
I voted Democrat in 2004 and 2008. Growing up my father, who is British, had said that the Americans would never elect a black president because racism was so engraved in this countries culture.
It was certainly surprising that Obama won, not once, but twice over. I was hopeful for change.
Change did not come, rather things got worse. Obama was not a peacemaker, but warmonger. The same, however, is true of Hillary, Biden, and Trump.
For the 2012 election, I looked for an alternative, the democrats had lost my vote but I still wanted to vote, it was my right.
In modern terms you might say it was a civic flex and the little “I Voted” sticker was swag.
I was aware of the Green party but did not feel they were quite in my direction.
I eventually found the Libertarian party and switched to them. In the 2012 and 2016 elections, I voted for the Libertarian candidates.
And them in 2020, I was stripped of my voting rights. Disenfranchised is the term that gets bandied about.
So, I would if I could. Vote that is.
Thinking back now I don’t believe the Libertarian party was a particularly good choice for myself. Their platform leaned pretty heavily into the Christian faith and its tenets.
There was a strong push to move many government functions into the private sector, a playstyle which I would consider to be shortsighted at best.
They seemed to think that all that was needed to end poverty or homelessness was to throw money at charities or leave it up to a church to sort things out.
A lot of wealthy folk in that party. Big on giving, not so much on helping in-person.
A spot of good news is that come August, I will have been restored in full of my voting rights.
Just in time right?
Oh, if only that were true.
I now face the issue once more of needing a party that aligns with my moral and ethical beliefs. I have looked and found a few that touch on various points, but sadly none that truly fit my wants.
Maybe what I really need to do is start my own party. A useless effort I know but who knows, right?
Perhaps somewhere out there in big old America is someone else who shares my feelings and beliefs.
If I find the courage, I might just ask.
That will be it for today. Comments or questions? Put them below.
I’ll leave you with these words from a great YouTuber,
“If you made it this far then you my friend are a true legend and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Fat Wallet Refugee 