Today is a nice, relaxing Sunday... Do whatever you normally do - go to church, watch football, visit family and friends, have a picnic, go for a walk or hike, even go for a drive (like my family used to do - let's see where this road goes...). Relax and enjoy yourself.
Monday, if you live in a state with early voting, go to the polls and cast your vote. If you don't live in a state with early voting, go to your precinct and vote on Tuesday.
Remember a few things:
1. Your employer must allow you time off to vote.
2. You can NOT vote by texting. You must fill out a ballot in person.
3. No one is allowed to intimidate you, inside, or outside, the precinct. Report any threats or intimidation to your local police or sheriff's office, as well as your voting officials.
4. Vote for YOUR choice. Follow your heart and mind. Do not allow another person to influence YOUR decision.
5. Who you vote for is confidential - unless you tell someone how you voted.
6. If you have any questions, call your local county or city elections office. Non-partisan personnel will answer your questions regarding where to vote.
7. If you are not yet registered to vote in this election, call the elections office and see if you can still register to do so.
Please vote! Many people in many countries around the world are not even given a chance to vote for their leaders. Americans have the right to vote for the leader they choose. Use the right to vote as your own secret weapon... And remember all of the men and women, of all colors and religious faiths, who have given their lives to make your vote possible.
Showing posts with label voting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voting. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Super Tuesday - Time to Caucus
If you live in the United States, and it's the designated day for your state to either vote in a primary election, or gather in a caucus, please do so. If you are a Republican, please go out and vote for any one other than Donald Trump. If you're a Democrat, please vote for your choice of candidates. As an American citizen, legally of age, and registered to vote, you are being incredibly stupid if you do not express your choice for the candidates running for President.
I make no bones about the fact that I'm a born-and-bred Democrat. My husband was a card-carrying Democrat, and both of my parents were registered Democrats. Dad was the son of a farmer in Kansas, Mom was the daughter of a waterman on Chincoteague Island; my husband was the son of a plumber in Alexandria, Virginia. And I'm currently living in Colorado. As an adult on the east coast, I am very used to voting in a Primary election; a caucus is still something new to me, here in Colorado. But tonight, I'll wander across town to Boulder High School, sign my name on the rolls, and, for the third time, participate in my voting precinct's caucus.
People in what were British Colonies in America, and which became the United States of America, have fought and died for the right to vote since 1774. At first, only white men who owned real estate could vote; it has been an up-hill battle ever since for people of color, and for females, to be able to vote freely as a citizen of our United States. As a white, lower-middle-class female, born into the late Baby Boomer generation, I've been extremely lucky in having "my rights" handed to me. I've always had a birth certificate, and I was given a Social Security number when I was 13 and began to work part-time. When I was old enough to drive a vehicle, I earned my first photo-identification, my driver's license. I've been able to conquer the world with those three items - a birth certificate, a Social Security number, and a photo-ID. I'm very lucky.
I'll declare loudly, to anyone, that I do not like Donald Trump as a Presidential candidate. He is loud, crass, obnoxious, and a huge snob due to his billionaire status. He delights in holding a grudge, and "getting back" at (or "getting even with") individuals and institutions that he feels have slighted or insulted him. I just don't want this man to represent my nation, and me, before other national governments. I feel that Trump, if elected, will make America the laughing stock of the world - and I will not enjoy that status.
So, fellow Americans, if you are a registered voter, and if you want a "say" about how our country is run, and today is a voting or caucus day in your state - go out and vote.
I make no bones about the fact that I'm a born-and-bred Democrat. My husband was a card-carrying Democrat, and both of my parents were registered Democrats. Dad was the son of a farmer in Kansas, Mom was the daughter of a waterman on Chincoteague Island; my husband was the son of a plumber in Alexandria, Virginia. And I'm currently living in Colorado. As an adult on the east coast, I am very used to voting in a Primary election; a caucus is still something new to me, here in Colorado. But tonight, I'll wander across town to Boulder High School, sign my name on the rolls, and, for the third time, participate in my voting precinct's caucus.
People in what were British Colonies in America, and which became the United States of America, have fought and died for the right to vote since 1774. At first, only white men who owned real estate could vote; it has been an up-hill battle ever since for people of color, and for females, to be able to vote freely as a citizen of our United States. As a white, lower-middle-class female, born into the late Baby Boomer generation, I've been extremely lucky in having "my rights" handed to me. I've always had a birth certificate, and I was given a Social Security number when I was 13 and began to work part-time. When I was old enough to drive a vehicle, I earned my first photo-identification, my driver's license. I've been able to conquer the world with those three items - a birth certificate, a Social Security number, and a photo-ID. I'm very lucky.
I'll declare loudly, to anyone, that I do not like Donald Trump as a Presidential candidate. He is loud, crass, obnoxious, and a huge snob due to his billionaire status. He delights in holding a grudge, and "getting back" at (or "getting even with") individuals and institutions that he feels have slighted or insulted him. I just don't want this man to represent my nation, and me, before other national governments. I feel that Trump, if elected, will make America the laughing stock of the world - and I will not enjoy that status.
So, fellow Americans, if you are a registered voter, and if you want a "say" about how our country is run, and today is a voting or caucus day in your state - go out and vote.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Mail-In Ballots
We have an important election coming on Tuesday, 4 November. I have already received my mail-in ballot and will probably fill it in this afternoon and mail it back on Monday. This ballot contains thirty-nine (39) items - our US Senator, our US Representative, our Governor, other State officers, County Sheriff, other County officers, retention of seated judges, two state constitutional amendments, two state statutory propositions, two County issues, three City issues, and a local School Board issue. I already know how I wish to vote on the proposed amendments, issues, and propositions, and who I plan to vote for.
What has intrigued me is the lack of notice, and/or news coverage, regarding several of the City issues. Boulder is already in the process of making a hostile take over of the local utility company, so the City can own it's own power plant. (I voted against that, and I'm still against it.) The one City item that has had some press is item 2A - raising taxes to pay for a new museum, and up-grading facilities at parks and other city-run areas. My vote? YES. Items 2B and 2C are not mentioned anywhere - I had to look them up on the City's website to find the wording last month, before I received my ballot. Item 2B wants the City to be able to hold Executive Meetings regarding the municipal power plant without witnesses, behind closed doors. We would just be informed of the decisions made, not allowed to comment on what they're talking and/or voting about. My vote? NO. Item 2C would allow the City to set up it own telecommunications system - specifically to supply high-speed internet - to anyone within the City limits, business or residential. There is nothing in the item stating that if it is passed, people living inside the city limits would be permitted a freedom of choice in their internet carrier. This would/could become another municipal utility, and one might end up having to use the City's telephone, internet, and cable services. My vote? NO.
We've been pummeled with advertisements for the Senate race and the Governor's race. We've also been flooded by ads about Amendments 67 and 68, and Proposition 105. And the negative ads are just so much drivel... I now turn the volume off when ads come on, and get to listen to kitty purrs instead of nastiness. But I must admit that John Hickenlooper is staying with his continuing policy of no negative ads within his campaign. I like that.
Amendment 67 is another Personhood law. That it should be law that any fetus, at any stage of life, from the instant of conception until birth, is to be considered a person, for purposes of prosecution in any court of law. Proponents say that this will allow prosecutors to charge someone with a double murder, if a mother and unborn child are killed, for instance, in a hit and run accident. But Colorado already has a law on the books for the death of an unborn child in such incidences. To me, this seems like "someone" is trying to get a toe-hold in the law books as a precursor to outlawing abortions.
Amendment 68 is an interesting one. There is only one operating horse racetrack in the state of Colorado; it is owned by a company based in Rhode Island. There are already many casinos operating in Colorado in the towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. The Ute Nation also has two open casinos in the state. This law states that up to three horse racing tracks may expand their operation to include casino-style betting on their premises. In return for being to to do so, the racetracks will pay twice the percentage that the other casinos pay in taxes to the state - and that all of the gaming taxes from the racetrack(s) would go into a fund for public schools, to be divided equally among all public schools. The proponents claim that, if the Aurora Racetrack can open their doors to the public offering casino style gambling, there will be at least $134 million each year in the new school fund. I have problems with this also - money for the schools sounds good, but there is nothing written saying that these monies would be spent on the students in their classrooms. The racetrack at Aurora is a sleepy-seeming place; one can wager on races around the country there, and there are several weeks of live racing - but it's not a large track with a lot of parking. If this is approved, who will be paying for the upkeep of more heavily traveled roads in the area? What will the traffic do to the folks who moved out into that area for the quiet? Will the opportunity to gamble in Aurora affect the intake of the other casinos? What will happen if their tax revenue lessens, after Colorado has become dependent upon that for other purposes? And why is it approved for three racetracks? Do they really expect other new racetracks to open, knowing that they have to pay 34% of their income to the state? Who is living in a dream world, here?
Proposition 105 is also getting a lot of attention - especially in Boulder - it's about labeling Genetically Modified Organisms or food. This proposal says that anything that is a product of genetic modification, or has been treated with a genetically modified preparation, must carry a label stating that the item was "Produced With Genetic Engineering." This is very different from the rest of the United States' labeling requirements, and goes far beyond the U S Department of Agriculture regulations regarding the labeling of GMOs. For instance, a lot of local farmers grow a old-fashioned (or Heritage) type of sugar beet; this plant does extremely well in Colorado. It is not genetically modified. However, there is a pesky crop bug that loves sugar beets, and has developed a high tolerance for natural pesticides. Local farmers spray a genetically modified pesticide that kills these pesky critters and keeps their beet crop safe. These sugar beet farmers would have to label and sale their sugar beet crops as being "Produced With Genetic Engineering." Currently more than 80% of US crops are treated with genetically modified pesticides of some type - no other states require such labeling... I think this proposition will harm Colorado farmers on the national and international market levels.
Whew... I'm getting down from my preaching stump now... Thanks for reading this, and for thinking about your vote. Remember your vote counts!!!
What has intrigued me is the lack of notice, and/or news coverage, regarding several of the City issues. Boulder is already in the process of making a hostile take over of the local utility company, so the City can own it's own power plant. (I voted against that, and I'm still against it.) The one City item that has had some press is item 2A - raising taxes to pay for a new museum, and up-grading facilities at parks and other city-run areas. My vote? YES. Items 2B and 2C are not mentioned anywhere - I had to look them up on the City's website to find the wording last month, before I received my ballot. Item 2B wants the City to be able to hold Executive Meetings regarding the municipal power plant without witnesses, behind closed doors. We would just be informed of the decisions made, not allowed to comment on what they're talking and/or voting about. My vote? NO. Item 2C would allow the City to set up it own telecommunications system - specifically to supply high-speed internet - to anyone within the City limits, business or residential. There is nothing in the item stating that if it is passed, people living inside the city limits would be permitted a freedom of choice in their internet carrier. This would/could become another municipal utility, and one might end up having to use the City's telephone, internet, and cable services. My vote? NO.
We've been pummeled with advertisements for the Senate race and the Governor's race. We've also been flooded by ads about Amendments 67 and 68, and Proposition 105. And the negative ads are just so much drivel... I now turn the volume off when ads come on, and get to listen to kitty purrs instead of nastiness. But I must admit that John Hickenlooper is staying with his continuing policy of no negative ads within his campaign. I like that.
Amendment 67 is another Personhood law. That it should be law that any fetus, at any stage of life, from the instant of conception until birth, is to be considered a person, for purposes of prosecution in any court of law. Proponents say that this will allow prosecutors to charge someone with a double murder, if a mother and unborn child are killed, for instance, in a hit and run accident. But Colorado already has a law on the books for the death of an unborn child in such incidences. To me, this seems like "someone" is trying to get a toe-hold in the law books as a precursor to outlawing abortions.
Amendment 68 is an interesting one. There is only one operating horse racetrack in the state of Colorado; it is owned by a company based in Rhode Island. There are already many casinos operating in Colorado in the towns of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. The Ute Nation also has two open casinos in the state. This law states that up to three horse racing tracks may expand their operation to include casino-style betting on their premises. In return for being to to do so, the racetracks will pay twice the percentage that the other casinos pay in taxes to the state - and that all of the gaming taxes from the racetrack(s) would go into a fund for public schools, to be divided equally among all public schools. The proponents claim that, if the Aurora Racetrack can open their doors to the public offering casino style gambling, there will be at least $134 million each year in the new school fund. I have problems with this also - money for the schools sounds good, but there is nothing written saying that these monies would be spent on the students in their classrooms. The racetrack at Aurora is a sleepy-seeming place; one can wager on races around the country there, and there are several weeks of live racing - but it's not a large track with a lot of parking. If this is approved, who will be paying for the upkeep of more heavily traveled roads in the area? What will the traffic do to the folks who moved out into that area for the quiet? Will the opportunity to gamble in Aurora affect the intake of the other casinos? What will happen if their tax revenue lessens, after Colorado has become dependent upon that for other purposes? And why is it approved for three racetracks? Do they really expect other new racetracks to open, knowing that they have to pay 34% of their income to the state? Who is living in a dream world, here?
Proposition 105 is also getting a lot of attention - especially in Boulder - it's about labeling Genetically Modified Organisms or food. This proposal says that anything that is a product of genetic modification, or has been treated with a genetically modified preparation, must carry a label stating that the item was "Produced With Genetic Engineering." This is very different from the rest of the United States' labeling requirements, and goes far beyond the U S Department of Agriculture regulations regarding the labeling of GMOs. For instance, a lot of local farmers grow a old-fashioned (or Heritage) type of sugar beet; this plant does extremely well in Colorado. It is not genetically modified. However, there is a pesky crop bug that loves sugar beets, and has developed a high tolerance for natural pesticides. Local farmers spray a genetically modified pesticide that kills these pesky critters and keeps their beet crop safe. These sugar beet farmers would have to label and sale their sugar beet crops as being "Produced With Genetic Engineering." Currently more than 80% of US crops are treated with genetically modified pesticides of some type - no other states require such labeling... I think this proposition will harm Colorado farmers on the national and international market levels.
Whew... I'm getting down from my preaching stump now... Thanks for reading this, and for thinking about your vote. Remember your vote counts!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Please Vote Today
Today is the day most people in America will vote for their choice of candidates to represent them as the President of the United States. I saw an editorial the other day that asked if the act of voting was a gift or an obligation. I think that the ability of each citizen to vote is a combination of gift, obligation, right, and responsibility - and, if one is a citizen (in good standing), that voting should be a cause of pride. I currently reside in Colorado, which is considered a "swing" state; while of voting age, I have lived in Colorado, Virginia and Florida. All of these states are considered "swing" states, so I am used to being inundated with political advertisements and with the visits of candidates in an election year. My maternal family roots go back to the 1620s in Virginia and Maryland, and my paternal roots go back to the Mayflower and the 1640s in the Carolinas and Virginia. My family has seen a lot of history regarding the beginning of the British colonies, on through the American Revolution, the Civil War and the World Wars. A lot of family blood has been spilled in the past, and family members are still putting their lives on the line to ensure the freedom of the United States of America.
I don't really care whom you choose to vote for. Just go out and express your feelings by casting your vote. Being able to vote for one's representatives in the government - at the city, county, state, and federal levels - is something that people have given their lives for throughout history. Maybe I'm just plain strange - but I get a little zing when I place my vote... I think of my umpteenth great-grandfather, who signed on as a bond servant in London, and who worked on a tobacco plantation in Maryland for seven years to become a free man in the colonies; I think of the hardships of the Massachusetts colonies; I think of my Quaker ancestors, including Hatevil Hall; and my Cleveland ancestors who arrived in England (and thence on to the USA) with William the Bastard (oops... William the Conqueror), and then emigrated to New England.
I guess I feel the weight of history lift from my shoulders when I vote... that I am able to, can, and do express my feelings about how this country is run with my own unique vote.
Monday, October 13, 2008
First Freeze
I'm watching steam rise from the sidewalk behind the privacy fence that marks my backyard. There are no birds nor any squirrels out and about; my kits are indoors, sitting on the desk. Both kits have been out, and decided to come right back inside. I saw black ice on the roadways while I was walking earlier. Denver is reporting over 20 spin-outs at one intersection due to black ice, along with a lot of crunch accidents, where a spinning vehicle hit aother. The sun is shining brightly, and we expect a high in the mid-40s, with lows tonight in the 20s. We'll start warming up tomorrow.
The kits snuggled with me in bed all night. And I got a kick that Lovey decided she needed to be inside my nightgown, under the covers, to be comfortable. Banichi was happy to be either beside me, or on top of my head on the pillow... Either way, I was nice and warm.
I went to the Democratic meeting Saturday, where I had been asked to go, to learn how to be a poll-watcher on Election Day. Surprise!! I was the only person from my precinct to show up, so guess who has been named the Precinct Chairperson? I've had a nasty headache ever since I was informed of this, and I'm about to let them know that I can't/won't be the Chairperson. I don't mind donating 3 to 6 hours on Election Day, working as a poll-watcher - but I don't think I can handle getting at least 10 other volunteers to help with poll-watching, calling voter lists, and running info back to Democratic Headquarters.... Kathy has volunteered to help, but other than that I'm pretty much lost.... And the poll-watching certification won't occur until the 24th through the 28th.... Trapped? Tricked? Desperate!!
The kits snuggled with me in bed all night. And I got a kick that Lovey decided she needed to be inside my nightgown, under the covers, to be comfortable. Banichi was happy to be either beside me, or on top of my head on the pillow... Either way, I was nice and warm.
I went to the Democratic meeting Saturday, where I had been asked to go, to learn how to be a poll-watcher on Election Day. Surprise!! I was the only person from my precinct to show up, so guess who has been named the Precinct Chairperson? I've had a nasty headache ever since I was informed of this, and I'm about to let them know that I can't/won't be the Chairperson. I don't mind donating 3 to 6 hours on Election Day, working as a poll-watcher - but I don't think I can handle getting at least 10 other volunteers to help with poll-watching, calling voter lists, and running info back to Democratic Headquarters.... Kathy has volunteered to help, but other than that I'm pretty much lost.... And the poll-watching certification won't occur until the 24th through the 28th.... Trapped? Tricked? Desperate!!
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