2 November Days & Crunching Leaves

[placton]

November days, it seems, have always been important politically since I was young. It was November 1960 that JFK was elected, the first Democrat (I was 14) I loved. November 22, 1963, he was shot down. I voted for Humphrey, and McGovern, and Carter (twice) and every Dem for President, in November. I voted straight tickets for the Party in November.

In Michigan, where we seem to see global warming more than in other areas, Novembers used to be snowy & very very cold - now they are more like late fall with warmer temps, little snow, but still grey skies. It's lovely to walk about then, hearing the crunching leaves underfoot, and thinking of the hot chocolate waiting at home, even though it's not so cold as in my childhood.

Now I look ahead to 2 November days, in 2010 and 2012. Things will have changed in my life. I will be older, and seeing that the years ahead don't run endlessly. I will walk, under those warmer November skies, to the schoolhouse where I vote. I will stand in line, show my ID (nope, my Dem Party in Michigan allowed that abomination to pass, of course), and then enter voting table. It's no longer a booth, you see, because we have punch card ballots - which are traceable, thank God.

I will look at that ballot and sigh. For the first time since I began voting so long ago, I won't vote the straight ticket. I was taught "Be Emphatic, Vote Straight Democratic." But not this time. I will ignore all but the local races, the propositions, the judges, and leave the Democratic portion blank. I might indulge myself by voting for a few 3rd party folks, but I doubt it.

I want to send a message to the Party that supports what I cannot. You have tossed away my hopes, my dreams, and I am tossing away my vote.

Then I will walk home, crunching other leaves, smiling, and thinking to myself "Fuck you, Democrats." Maybe some day they will come to their senses. I sure hope it is before I can no longer hear the leaves crunching in November.

[placton]

1. sigh n/t