This is the first election in a number of years that I will be voting at the actual voting booth. Prior to this election, I have always voted in the comfort of my La-Z-Boy. So it's kind of like Obama's ad about it being my first time. I admit...I am a little worried. I changed my address but I may have to cast a provisional ballot, and it's in Florida...we ALL know about voting in Florida. Furthermore, I am a Republican in a very Democratic city. The Obama/Biden signs far outnumber the Romney/Ryan signs. Is it enough to win an election? I don't know.
I can say this. I am trying desperately to avoid voting angry.
As just a non-scientific poll, I can tell you that I am one of the 50% on my street who are unemployed or underemployed. I can tell you that I have applied for countless positions in everything from fast food restaurants to life insurance. I have interviewed for a number of teaching positions, but I have not been offered any of them. They are looking for the younger, cheaper models. I am now like many Americans with a big fat, gaping hole in my resume of nothing. It's like being a Japanese Christmas cake. In Japan, if you are a woman and you haven't married by twenty-five, then you are a Christmas cake...no one wants you. Just like a Christmas cake after Christmas.
As you are unemployed for a long time period, you begin to lose your self-worth. Helpful friends and family tell you that the "right thing" will come along. But it hasn't. You get chubby eating too much ice cream and candy that you got for free from expert coupon-cutting skills.
Then your clothes don't fit when you have an interview, so you have to buy new clothes. Clothes you can't afford. And so on and so on.
So how do I avoid voting angry? Frankly, I hate both sides. Obama's "Race to the top" money, somehow, became worse than Bush's "No Child Left Behind.". And Republican Governor Rick Scott chased a number of tenured teachers out of the profession by making the profession a virtual punching bag with all us "fat cat" teachers taking advantage of the system.
And those are just a couple of issues.
What I know is this: I have yet to have a Republican or a Democrat make my life better! I am not rich enough to get all the good tax breaks, and I am not poor enough to get any freebies. I remember a few short years ago that President Obama considered us "affluent".
Funny...I must have missed the memo. Thanks Democrats and Republicans...living the dream.
