At the risk of stirring up a big brouhaha, I’m going to share my Super Tuesday musings.
When I headed to the polls Tuesday morning, I didn’t know whether to be elated or dismayed that I walked right up. I was one of two people filling out their voter form. One of two. When I realized I left home without my drivers license, I ran home to get it and came back to be the only voter in the building. I realize that my story is hardly representative of my county, much less Georgia or all of the Super Tuesday states, but I was disappointed that my very own “neighbors” weren’t turned out in droves. My own Honey didn’t make time to vote, for crying out loud. In the weeks prior to Tuesday, I heard way too many people say “my candidate wouldn’t win anyway”. Well, mine didn’t, but I cast my vote. The right to vote is one of our most sacred liberties. I am so saddened, confused and even angered when people don’t. And don’t even get me started on local elections…
I feel like we’ve arrived at a day and age when good, solid, honest, hard working Americans no longer aim to be President of the United States of America. And those that do just aren’t bubbling to the top. I think there would be so much value in having another “people’s president”. Someone that wasn’t born of wealth and didn’t have to sell his/her soul for the money required to even enter the race. Someone with a true military background, a level head, unwavering morals and a love for America. As a girl, I dreamed of being the first woman president. And I’m certain there are millions of others out there that had similar childhood ambitions. But, we get older and the staunch reality of that would really entail becomes clear. I mean, you can’t just throw your name in the hat. It’s a shame, really, because I question whether our government is truly of the people, by the people and for the people these days. I don’t know how to change this, but I would support anyone that does.
On the bright side, my two ancient bottles of Trump Vodka should go for a pretty penny on ebay. I mean, I might as well capitalize on being an American right now. Or, perhaps I’ll save them and enjoy a Trump & Tonic during the next debate.
Lawd knows I needed one last night… I spent my night in a “cringe” as “leaders” of our country yelled, taunted and at times were just pain indecent. It is a shame when a presidential debate is hardly appropriate for a ten year old. I guess it’s a teaching moment at the very least.
I am anxious to hear the Democratic debate on Sunday and I urge all of you in states that have not yet had their primary to get out and cast your vote!! It may not be the popular vote, but every vote counts.
If you’re looking for a festive way to engage the littles in the elections, I created a cute set of printables and a menu back in 2012. You can find them here >> Election Night Free Printable and you can read about our dinner here >> Election Night Dinner 2012
God bless America!!!!! (We sorta kinda need it right now.)
xoxo
Election Night Free Printable | Election Night Dinner 2012
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Yes yes yes! I’m right there with ya on this! I can’t remember a year that I’ve cared so much about a primary election but it’s a big darn deal! I can only pray that someday soon we will have a president that is just as you describe- a “people’s president” with real moral values, which seems to be something that is lacking these days!
Have a great weekend! xo
Nice Post!
Yes, every vote counts. In Washington State’s 2004 election for Governor, Dino Rossi won, but the count was extremely close…and required a recount. Christine Gregoire eventually won the election with an additional ~100 votes. A perfect example of why, in every election a vote matters. People who don’t want to take the time to go to a booth and stand in line, should request an absentee ballot.
I’m a Virginia voter and was happy to see a lot of voters at my precinct on Tuesday. Although the person I voted for didn’t win, I’m glad that DH, DD, and I voted. I also cringed last night during the debates and finally just turned off the TV.
Tomorrow is our primary and we are heading to the polls tomorrow morning before heading to the audubon zoo!!! :)
And I can’t agree with you more!!!
Amanda for President!!! I am envisioning a beautifully decorated Lilly P Oval Office :-) I am with you on this too, this was the first primary I have ever voted for & I was proud to wear my peach sticker. We are lucky as Americans to be able to all cast our vote, even if you don’t like who wins. Love the idea of the Bipartisan Pizza!!
I agree with you and don’t understand why more people didn’t come out to vote. I felt like at least here in GA, my vote in the primary was MORE important than in a general election. Our country has become so polarized that I don’t think anything can be done short of blowing up the whole system and starting over. Honestly, I think that is why some people are voting for Trump – the politicians today are a joke and none of them represent the ideals that most of us strive for on a daily basis so why not just go way out in left field and pull for someone who isn’t playing by the “political rules”. The next 8 months are going to be very interesting for sure.
Every vote does count certainly I’d agree! While many hard working Americans are working and barely earning a cost of living wage, our President is giving away our tax dollars by the billions to terrorist. Electing a Muslim Supreme Court Justice through an “executive order”. Literally making a mockery of every branch of our government. I don’t want to hear the candidates criticizing each other I’m uninterested. What are our potential candidates going to do to help US the American people obtain employment, affordable health care & provide basic needs for our loved ones? How are you going to make “America great again”? All I can say is given our past history in this country we have a lot of work to do. I’d challenge everyone to vote, speak up to local government officials, don’t let mediocrity rule our country.
Love the idea for an Election Night Menu for the kidos.
I totally agree with you! I can’t watch the debates…it’s like watching little ones argue over toys and so embarrassing for our country. This is such a critical time and every vote is needed! I pray that we are blessed with a person that truly cares about the country and not just power and money. Seems there are few choices for that…
xo
Pat
So well said. All of it, just so well said. I am also disheartened by the lack of maturity and character in both parties. Here in South Dakota, we won’t vote until the bitter end, and I’m very concerned about what my options will be by then. But I will cast my vote!
Sadly I think that a majority of us are just so disheartened that we are not making the effort. I have some time before California’s primary and I’m hoping in that time someone steps up and becomes a candidate that I can back willingly and not just as a lesser of two evils. The debates just sadden me that this is what our country has come to. We can’t expect the rest of the world to respect us when our leaders act like children.
Amen!
It is awful out there, for sure. I love this post, and agree. But I also have to admit, that I did not vote Tuesday, because I was completely at a loss and unsure who I supported; I felt that my vote cast was just a crap shoot and not one made of a sound conviction. It felt irresponsible to just toss a vote in, when I wasn’t sure I supported that person, when it might actually have an impact. So this election has also changed how I view voting… it is a privilege, and responsibility, but I now also feel that if we are voting without really feeling informed and convinced, it is better to abstain and allow those who have conviction to make the impact at this level. (Obviously I only think this at the primary level, and is the very first time I have chosen not to vote. ) So this election is humbling in many ways… never say never is my life mantra for this very reason. We are seeing lots of “nevers” this year!
You make a great point!
I agree 100%! I’m so dismayed and saddened by the candidates. In addition, I can’t count the number of people who have said I would vote for so and so, but just don’t think it would matter. Ugh.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if everyone who was voting for the “unpopular” candidate and didn’t think that their vote counted turned up one day? I didn’t elect the winner of Georgia, either, but I went! And I am happy with the choice I made! (And for the first time in my entire marriage I voted completely differently than my husband. I guess we cancelled each other out, but we went!)
Oh my. You are very to watch the debates. I just can’t stand all of the bickering and nonsense. It makes me sad, too, to see our current and future leaders acting like children. And, it scares me knowing that our future president was elected amid turmoil like we have been seeing. I think the US needs to do a lot of praying and soul searching before heading back to the poles. Here’s to hoping for the best!!
Great post! Voting is so important and we have no right to complain in the end if we didn’t exercise our right to do so. We need God. Period. But we can’t vote Him in – everyone’s too busy voting Him out.
I think it is a real shame that unless you are quite wealthy and have millions that you could afford to lose, you can’t even think of running for President. Our choice of good candidates gets lower and lower with each election and I am sure the financial backing is part of the reason.
I also can not bring myself to watch a debate. Nothing more than a group of people arguing and finger pointing and acting like small unruly children.
Thanks so much for your service Amanda, and it is a service, just in the voting booth rather than on the battlefield. Less dangerous place to be sure, but critically important nonetheless. And thanks for teaching the littles their responsibility in years to come.
This year’s election is a scary one, in so many ways. And it is vitally important for all the same reasons. Sorry your candidate didn’t win. I live in a state which won’t primary until the end of April, and I hope it isn’t totally over by then.
You are so right about voting. It is a privilege! You struck a chord with the thought that it really isn’t what I would want my little ones to see. That is not how we should handle disagreements or a campaign. As a child, I loved watching the debates and the conventions. I know I am somewhat nerdy, but it has been passed onto my children. They watch and keep up as well. It saddens me so to see the state of our country. So divided and so harsh in our words. Truly never a more important time to vote. I am praying very hard for our country.
We voted in Texas, and I was happy to wait in a long line to get a ballot, and then another long line to fill it out. They were worried about running out of ballots. I felt though, that I was voting against a horrible candidate, instead of voting for the best one. Terrible to not really have a choice.
I so agree with you. Watching the debate last night was difficult, and I felt such a feeling of loss as to what our country has become. Sadly, I don’t feel that the people are truly represented anymore. I have a horrible feeling that this election will be one like we’ve never seen before. Thank you for excercising your right to vote, we must all maintain this right, no matter what.
Could not agree more with what you’ve written. My candidate did not win, and I knew that would be the case. But voting is a privilege! And even if one feels like it won’t make a difference – this is the only way we have of making a change.
I am dismayed at how far we’ve devolved as a nation. I don’t question whether the government is of the people, by the people and for the people – I’m convinced it’s not. I feel like the choices we’re left with amounts to picking the lesser of two evils. And yet – I must do what I can as a citizen to make change where I can. And otherwise, I will remain true to my convictions and beliefs, raise outstanding children, hope and pray for the best – and pray for out country.
I don’t know what was worse, the candidates behavior or the kids sitting behind the news moderators making faces and taking selfies!!! I swear my 2 year olds behave better!!!
Well said Amanda!
I heard that Justice Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were really good friends and had such respect for each other. These two had such different views politically but still managed to work together. Maybe we can learn a valuable lesson from them.
It saddens me when people refer to other races or with a different ethnicity in an unkind way. There are good and bad in all of us . On the Supreme Court , the President can’t appoint a Justice by executive order. He can nominate a person and only the Senate can confirm. Amanda, thank you for this post.
I couldn’t agree with you more! And I need to check off “Cocktail Party” as well! In fact, my friends have been passing that one around on facebook all week! We don’t vote in the Primary for awhile here in New Jersey but I have been watching every debate and all the election coverage. It really has turned into a media circus. And you are right about the debate not being appropriate for a 10 year old. That whole “hand comment” last night was really unbelievable! I guess one good thing that is coming out of all of this primary craziness is the fact that people are paying attention to the whole process. It is a shame that you didn’t see more people when you were voting though. I never understand why people don’t vote yet everyone seems to be complaining about one thing or another. It will be very interesting to see what happens over the next few months.
Shelley
I completely agree with the thoughts on the debates (not just last night but all of them). Have we learned anything new from them? Very little. We’ve simply seen an outrageous childishness on display that, at times, has been downright embarrassing for our country. Of course electing a President is important (this year more than ever, perhaps), and unfortunately, my choice didn’t win either on Tuesday. My husband, son, and new 18-year old voter all voted. However, we have to remember that what makes America great is NOT our leaders in Washington. Ultimately, it’s “We the People” who create businesses, raise families, and care about our neighbors. The best Washington can do is to get out of the way and allow us to make our own choices. I wish more of us could remember this when we beg our leaders to “create jobs, fix the economy, fix this, fix that.” Government has grown exponentially in the last few decades. Are we at a better place?
One of your best blogs yet. We live in Washington state, usually by the time the caucus gets here a clear leader has already been established. The same is for the general election. In 2016, Obama was elected before our votes were completely counted. I really wish people realized what a voice they DO have on the east cost. Y’all get the ball rolling for the rest of us. Voice your opinion. It really does matter.
And with all your reader’s comments about the bickering and name calling, there is one candidate who hasn’t lowered himself to any of that: Kasich.
The man who won my vote. :-)
I have to say that after this weeks debates, I was truly feeling regretful that he has remained under the radar. He has been impressing me more and more, and his constant stand of grace amidst the name calling really encouraged me. I am hoping he can still rise to the top.
I love this post Amanda and couldn’t agree more. In states that aren’t winner take all every vote does count! I was really disheartened by last night’s debate and am hoping good triumphs in the end. This election is so important for our country. I just don’t understand how the candidates think this circus and in-fighting helps…Here’s to the power of positive thinking!
I totally agree. And I was able to just walk right up and vote as well. I was surprised and very disheartened.
Great post! I had the identical experience. I’ve religiously voted since I turned eighteen (I’m turning 40) but this was my first primary. I take my kids with me and enjoy introducing this civic duty. The debates have been hard to monitor with the kids and I hope it gets better and more focused on facts. Don’t count yourself out of a future presidency! Seriously! You have plenty of time to jump in. Hey and when you win you can scream “IM GOING TO DISNEY”!
On another topic…. I would love to read a post on which electronic devices you like best for your kids, especially your oldest. I’m trying to decide wether to pull away from Apple. My 9 year old is using our laptop more and more for homework and I’m ready to set him up for success. I’d be tickled pink to hear your advice. Lots of love and support for you down here in Decatur!
The part that dismays me the most. Seeing so many friends constantly bashing a candidate. When their candidate for their party turned her back on Benghazi, and is a traitor. More than anything else….this is the woman who represents women??? She is pure evil. And yet, not a single person in her party speaks against her. They concentrate on pulling down other candidates and making fun of their friends who are republicans. Yet….this woman is horrid. I could never get behind someone who mass murdered soldiers.
I agree whole heartedly. Florida hasn’t had its primary yet but judging past primaries, turn outs aren’t great. My first choice isn’t even an option but I will do my civic duty. I’m so disappointed at how uninformed my fellow citizens seem to be on civics, history and what positions the politicians hold. I’m not even sure if they teach Civics in school anymore. I’m a conservative person but I watch the debates on both sides and get my information from multiple sources. I have been appalled by the Republican debates, especially last Thursday. On a happier note, Georgia has the absolutely most adorable ‘I voted’ stickers.
Word. It infuriates me how Americans don’t realize what a privilege it is to have our rights.