That is, until I went to my postal box on Saturday. The only piece of mail was an important one: my ballot from Nevada.
I knew it was about to arrive. On Friday I received a very nice letter from the Washoe County clerk explaining a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to call itself into special session. And informing me my ballot had been mailed to me.
But, on Saturday, there it was. The real deal. My proof that I am still a citizen of an American state. That the people of Nevada do not work for the government. The government works for the citizen. And we can hire and fire who we want.
Sometime on Sunday, I am going to do just that. My pen will join those two little arrow segments together -- saying I want this guy for this job. All the others can look elsewhere for employment.
And I will be so bold as to project that the federal government will have a partisan split. That is a pretty safe bet. All the polls show that the houses of Congress will be held by different parties -- even if the spread is closer in both the House and the Senate. As for the White House, it seems to be a closer race every day.
Will my preferred candidate win? I have no idea. I think he may.
By voting in Nevada (one of the swing states), my vote will have far more weight than it did in Oregon. However, not as much weight as it had in 1984 when I was a member of the electoral college.
I was a little concerned that I would not have enough time to mail the ballot back to Reno and have it arrive before election day. But the forward-thinking state of Nevada has my back. I can either fax or email my ballot to the clerk.
When I have drawn the appropriate arrows on Sunday, I will scan the ballot and my certification -- and email my choices north.
As for who I am voting for (as if most of you could not guess), I may leave that revelation until I tell you about my Mexican living decision.
At some point this week. Let's just say plans are a'brewin'.
As you well know, Gary Johnson is running as a Libertarian in Nevada, and Nevada is a toss-up state. If you even think of going Libertarian this year, I will drive up there and toss you directly into that sea you never set your toes in. I will push you in over your head too. Do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteYou do recall, I hope, I am a lower case "l," not a capital "L."
ReplyDeleteWell, you brought it up. so, "This election is no longer a fight for the heart and soul of the country. This election is about our country deciding whether or not to continue having a soul."
ReplyDeleteI have been surprised at the number of people who say there is no difference between the candidates. The debate probably put a stop to a lot of that talk. This is a very important election. That is why I am glad my ballot arrived in time.
ReplyDeleteTypical attorney, draging out the presentation, summation for maximum billable hours......
ReplyDeleteYou are no doubt referring to the vice-presidential debate. The presidential debate was so boring I couldn't get through it.
ReplyDeleteWe're gonna have to send Sr. Cotton to the lawyers
ReplyDeletere-education camp to teach him about alternative billing arrangements, e.g. unit billing, value-based billing and fixed fees.
You will soon see why I am being a bit coy.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention writer re-education camp. But the Chinese may have that market cornered.
ReplyDeleteIn every presidential election, it seems that one of the candidates needs to play the buffoon role.
ReplyDeleteWhile in the US for an extended stay, I formally requested that my absentee ballot be mailed to my stateside voting address. It arrived quickly and I was able to complete it and mail it back before returning to Mexico recently. Handling it that way happened to be very user friendly for me, this time.
ReplyDeleteSteve, for a post retirement career, perhaps writing story lines for some "telenovelas" might be up your alley. You certainly have the "cliff hanger" scenario stuff down pat!
Are you suggesting we have not seen that before?! ha
ReplyDeleteIt must come from all of those Saturday afternoon serials at the movie house.
ReplyDeleteI am the very model of subtlety.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, what the USA needs -- dramatic global military pullback, entitlement reform, and tax reform all of which will create a sustainable fiscal path -- neither of these guys will create. We will continue to drift down the road of "can kicking" until we run out of road, and then we will fall down the cliff below.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, if abortion, or unions, or some other such fairly minor issue compared to the above is of utmost importance to you, then it's a critical election.
Otherwise, either one of these guys will fight to the dying breath to maintain the status quo. Which is not sustainable.
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where, due to the electoral college, it doesn't matter what I think anyway.
My libertarian spirit agrees that neither major party candidate is radical enough to make the drastic fiscal and policy changes the nation now needs. But, having said that, they both have different governing philosophies that are wide enough to make a difference.
ReplyDelete