On Message

THEY WERE calling yesterday's mid-term elections "historic," but that's not why I delayed my trip home to hit the polling place. I voted because I wanted to have a say in who's making some of the decisions that most impact my life, my family, and my world. I don't have nearly enough money to buy access to the decision makers, and my causes are not so noteworthy as to garner attention on their own, but, by God, I have the right, the duty, to walk into a voting booth and exercise that most basic of human needs, self-determination. Some of those for whom I voted won, some lost, but by participating in the very essence of American citizenship yesterday, I helped make this country a better place, regardless of the results. Mr. Smith may no longer go to Washington, but he can still tell the government, the parties, the media, and the world that attention must be paid.

Comments

[Chris Durso]

Oh, come on, Mr. Smiley. Throw a bomb! Talk some smack! It worked really well two years ago -- most comments you've ever generated, no?

[Tom G]

I remember that comment thread. Looks like a lot of very politically minded plasma TV salesmen have commented since we turned off the lights and locked up the old SC.com. Sort of like kids throwing rocks at windows of an abandonded building.

[Tom G]

I forgot to ask, did you vote for Raj? Someone told me one of his campaign stunts was to go down to the Rio Grande and march circus animals and a marching band across the border to prove a point. Pretty funny.

[Tom Durso]

Yeah, the bloodsport of two years ago was so much fun I didn't think it would be possible to repeat, so I thought I'd just let it go. Tom G., thanks to the absurd gerrymandering of districts around here, I'm not in that congressional district, and so was not able to vote either for or against Raj. Not that it would have made a difference ...

[Bill]

I don't know if you can hear it but I have a continual loop of "Happy Days Are Here Again" playing in my office. One of the best Election Nights I have had in a long, long time.

[Chris Durso]

That's the spirit, Bill! See, T -- how hard is it? Republicans are fascist money whores! Democrats are candy-assed traitors! Etc.!

[Jeff Martin]

Chris, as a registered Republican who has done nothing in his voting career but vote Democrat, I don't know how to take that...am I a candy-assed money whore? Hmm..that's actually got a nifty ring to it.

[Chris Durso]

Jeff-- Hmmm. Good question. I'd say you're more like a fascist traitor, which covers things from both sides of the aisle. But, really, the specific labels are unimportant. What matters is that we judge, and judge harshly.