Did you have time to vote?

This morning, when I finally decided to give up on sleep, I came out to turn on CNN and catch up on the election news.  Now I sit on my couch after watching tons of footage of people standing in lines all over the country to vote and I realize how lucky we really are here in Oregon.  We have had our ballots for weeks already, most of us have already sent them in.  For the slackers that haven't, they will more than likely complain about having to drive down and drop it off in the "official box." Heaven forbid there is a line there, however will we handle it?

I dont' know why it hasn't bothered me before...  We have it so easy here!  There is absolutely no excuse for someone not to vote.  I will admit, if I had to go out and stand in line for hours and hours I would seriously consider not doing it either.  I HATE LINES.  When I look at the footage of all the lines, I wonder how many people are NOT there.  How many people just couldn't afford to take that time off work.  All the parents who weren't going to drag their kids.  The employers that wouldn't allow their workers time off to go and vote... Isn't there some sort of law regarding this?  In my opinion, each and every state should have mail in ballots.  Aside for the convenience of it, there is a physical paper trail.  Oregon doesn't ever have a problem with broken machines and "cheating" isn't an issue.  

So, lets all take a moment to think how lucky we are here in OR....  Now, lets think of the increased revenue to the postal service for the mailing of these oversized envelopes... -just kidding.  sort of.

For all of you out there that took the time to stand in some crazy long line, I thank you. And my children thank you for taking the time away from your other many responsibilities to cast your vote in this very archaic rediculous way.  I hope you are in a state where the machines all worked, the computers didn't go down, and you didn't have to fight for your lost hours in work.  I appreciate your effort.

For those that didn't take the time out of your busy day, I am sorry that you felt like you couldn't be bothered with it.  I am sorry that you don't feel that your opinion is important to this world.  I am sorry for the fact that you absolutely have no right to complain about the outcome.  From here on out, you can keep your opinions to yourself.  Your voice is no longer heard, your voice no longer matters.... 

I will not have my voice silenced when we are so fortunate to live a place that allows us to speak up for what's important.  I will always use this right of mine, and I will teach, encourage, and empower my children to do that same. 

For all of those people that don't - What a waste....  I'm sorry.

STOP, EVERYBODY!

I know what I'll do.

I'll just be myself,

my whole self and not you.

I'll be true to myself, that's just what I'll do.

No uncle or aunt can tell me "you can't!"

No mother or pop can tell me "Please stop!"

I'll do what I want to, that's just what I'll do!

-Dr. Seuss

One commercial holiday to another...

Seriously, the Halloween stuff has already been out for months and you can tell that on November 1st, it is going to be like waiving a magic wand and there will suddenly be Santa's and Christmas trees everywhere.  I don't mean to offend as I am sure there will be plenty of menora's and any other winter season religous or otherwise nastalgia around

Either way, none of this is about anything but spending money that we don't have, on things we don't need, only to impress people that we don't really like.  What about Christmas includes sales, and big red socks to hang from a fire place?  I don't recall any stories about Jesus cutting down a tree in celebration of his birthday but maybe I just missed it.

There isn't anything meaningful behind Halloween at all and considering that I have over $6000 of braces in one daughters mouth, and over $1000 in the other ones, I don't see the point in having them walk the neighborhood, asking strangers for candy while teenagers run amuck trying to scare the daylights out of them.  No, I dont' believe it is the devils high holiday, I just believe it is what it is... an excuse spend money we don't have, to pretend we are something else for a night.  All the while consuming mass amounts of sugar and various other crap that does nothing to benefit us. 

It is great for business though isn't it?