Poll Watchers: Anybody else getting choked up?

[tanyev]

I'm spending several hours a day watching America go by. Turnout is huge; there is a steady stream of people. All kinds of people. I see businessmen, moms with young children, kids who must be voting for the first time in their lives, elderly people who are obviously making a great physical effort to get out and vote. They are white, black, Asian, Indian, and who knows what else. They are wearing work uniforms, designer clothes, shorts and flip-flops.

A van pulled up today with several residents from a retirement home. There were wheelchairs, canes, and walkers. It was clear the pace was going to slow down a bit. Nobody in line complained. Everybody waited patiently for their turn. It feels like everybody understands how much it matters this year.

As I watch the people go by, I keep hearing one of the chants of the NYC protesters, "This is what democracy looks like!" and I get a little emotional. I've never before participated in an election other than simply casting my vote, and I'm so proud that I now have to opportunity to do so.


FWIW, I also cried when I saw "Monsters Inc", so it could just be me.
:)

[kanrok]

1. It is pretty cool

I had a conversation with a repub. friend of mine. We agreed that no matter the outcome, we are privileged to live in a country as great as this one.

[Skittles]

11. I started voting after I read a LTTE from a WWII veteran

that utterly shamed me for never having voted. I've not only been voting since I read that letter, I've become politically active too.

[fujiyama]

12. What if that outcome is fraudulent?

Will we still be "privelaged"? I'm afraid I don't take quite as generous an assesment of our status as a democracy. We can sit back and talk about how great we are, but we are deluding ourselves.

The potential exists for a great country, but at the moment it certainly is not great. Several polls show that many don't even think the outcome of the election will be accurate. People are worried the wrong person will end up taking office.

I certainly won't feel privelaged living here if Bush is (s)elected once again.

[PretzelWarrior]

2. yes. it's always amazing to see the power of the common person

coming together as many people to quietly express their protest against the status quo.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

3. I'm going to be driving a 15 passenger van

for twelve hours on election day, taking newly registered voters to their polling places.

That will probably make me choke up. It's democracy in action and it's beautiful.

Hey repukes! Why do you have such a problem with people voting?

[bobbieinok]

5. weren't black drivers taking people to vote FL2000 stopped and

threatened by police????

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

6. Yeah I remember hearing about that

good thing I'm not black, though most of my passengers will be black, Hispanic, and/or elderly. Oh also very low income.

I'd like to see them TRY to stop me.

[LizW]

15. Do you have a video camera?

If so, take it with you. Also your cell phone. Have all the appropriate numbers with you and make calls immediately if you get stopped. Call news outlets and tell them you have video of the supression efforts.

I don't mean to sound alarmist, but better safe than sorry.

And good for you for driving voters to the polls! :thunbsup:

[annerevere]

4. I remember here in Denver in 1992

On election day, I was at a center waiting to vote. The line was so long though it was early in the morning. No one complained. Everyone was smiling. It was if they all knew what was going to happen, that the government was going to change and they were so happy about it, so happy to be making it happen. I felt so good when I left the polling place.

That's what democracy is really about.

[PearliePoo2]

7. it's how I feel watching our 4th of July parade

Yes......exactly.
All these different people, friends, neighbors, fellow workers, showing up with a mind-set to do what a citizen does.
It makes me proud to stand in line! It literally chokes me up.
One by one, the line slowly moves, little circles colored in with my pencil and then recorded in the scanner. I proudly put my "I voted" sticker on my collar to be seen by everyone.
I'm going to be in line at 7am and my palms will be sweating this year
My nerves and stomach acid are red-lining. I am holding my breath.
John Kerry, please save this country I love.

[ncgrits]

8. I always get choked up on election day.

(But then I cry at everything from Monsters Inc. to The Color Purple!) Part of me wanted to wait until Nov. 2 to vote and get my patriotic "fix." But, damn, there were so many folks voting early this past Monday, I got my rush anyway! And I got do my good deed by helping all the "little old ladies" get their Democratic Voting Guides and get themselves a chair in line! It's all good!

[DeepModem Mom]

9. Not just you -- what we have in this country, and are trying to save...

what was put in place in a miraculous historical moment of Enlightenment, should bring tears to the eyes of those of us fortunate enough to be part of the great experiment called America.

[Skittles]

10. oh, I thought repugs were trying to choke you

I was gonna KICK THEIR ASSES

[fujiyama]

13. We don't have time

or the luxury to pat ourselves on the back for being democratic. The fascists are systematically tearing away at the democratic principles the country was founded on.

I'll be assured of our democracy only after I see the outcome of this election. The fraud in FL and elsewhere is already making me sick.

[tanyev]

22. Yes, good point.

Everything I've observed in Texas has been very orderly. Maybe because my county elections official is doing her job well. Maybe because Bushco is so certain Texas is in the bag that they are not wasting much time on dirty tricks here. Maybe because our lovely Diebold voting machines are already pre-programmed for the Bush win. My thoughts go out to those in Florida and Ohio and any other states who are already fighting and may have to keep fighting long after Nov. 2.

My emotion is tied in to the optimism I feel that Kerry will win and we will get this country back on track. I may have a very different perspective after we see the outcome of the election.

However, watching the voters still impresses me. There has been plenty of sign stealing and partisan nastiness in my area, but I haven't seen any trouble at the polls. The voters are showing up in droves and they are taking their job seriously. I think it's great.

[Maestro]

14. Hey the ending of Monsters Inc

gets me too. I want to know what Sully and Boo are doing now. Oh and yes, I am thrilled with the long lines to vote even here in Texas! People don't come out like this if they are maintaining the status quo. They want change!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Willy Lee]

16. That is just beautiful.

And that IS what democracy looks like!

[DemocracyInaction]

17. Unfortunately, the early parade to the polls doesn't necessarily

make me smile as it would have years ago. I know that preachermen are blaring from their pulpits that it is mandatory for their folks to go early vote or send in absentee votes weeks ago because, of course, they want the votes IN before anything exposes Bush. They also want time, in my opinion, to destroy or add to votes as necessary to put Bush over the top. I don't even trust the "little old lady" brigade when I heard we are 'tied' among seniors---a lot of them are church ladies going out to do 'what God has told them to do via Mr. Slick the preacherman". You see I can't get all choked up on democracy when I have churches demanding loyalty through votes and the uncontrolled screaming of right wing radio in this country with no balance. This isn't democracy on parade....it's the creep towards facism and it's picking up steam.

[crispini]

18. I know how you feel.

After I voted, I wrote this. I've been toying with posting it but it seemed shamelessly self-indulgent, but I think it would go well in this thread.

Act of Faith

We stand in this line, and
We don't talk, except about trivia.
Stuff like the weather,
Everything but what we are there to do.

We wait.

The beginning of this line stretches back
To early January, for some.
(Or even farther back.)
An eternity of letters and clipboards and phone calls and newspapers.
Hours of our lives spent, because
We believe
In our sweet democracy, believe
That we should
Read and think and dream and hope and change the world.
Our days: made up of
Voter registration forms, flyers, words, and ideas.
Ideas and ideals.

The ideals of our forefathers and mothers,
Jefferson, Hamilton,
Lucy Burns and Alice Paul.
"That government of the people,
by the people,
for the people,
shall not perish from the earth."
This sweet freedom
That people have died for.
And that we share.

And now we are here, at the polls, all together.
Yet each alone.
This is
The heart of our grand experiment, this is
A simple yet profound moment, this is
An individual and collective choice.
My heart is filled with joy --
My heart is breaking.
Such a tiny thing, this mark I make.
Such a huge thing, to say, "This is who I am.
I am American. Here is my vote, my voice."

And now I am finished.
I press my ballot to my lips.
I hope, I pray,
For what we ALL want:
Peace, prosperity, a brighter future.

I drop it in the box.
An act of faith.

[Patiod]

19. Normal elections can be dull, but not the big ones

Wow - Great poem!!

I've poll-watched a bunch of them, and I like the big draws, where you see not just the older white folks (sadly, the majority in most elections in my area) but the cooks in their dirty uniforms, working guys in overalls, nurses in scrubs, young moms herding 3 little ones, 18-year-old kids bursting with pride from voting their first time (gave one my Gore pin so he could have a souvenir of his first vote). All ages, all colors.

I love poll watching. Of course, I always get sick the next week (unless it's pouring, we're stuck outside the firehouse), but it's worth it.

[GalleryGod]

20. Standing alone at the Philly (120K) Rally

Listening to the Boss's "No Retreat. No Surrender" boming out of the sound system...I teared up:cry: ...surrounded by like-minded Patriots.

[AuntieM1957]

21. Bush Bullies Monster, Inc.

yeah, I cried at that stupid movie, too - I enjoyed it MORE than my 5 year old nephew!

So I guess we're both emotional - but I nearly cried at the site of walkers, grey heads, and young ones standly patiently in line to cast their ballot.

I'm the local Democratic precinct chair - and fearfully placed my candidates signs at the early voting location. This is north Harris County (Houston)- and the GOP is mean, ugly and vicious around here.

The first day, the local rats took down my signs and laid them in the corner. I drove by DURING early voting, and quietly placed each sign back where it was originally. This was witnessed by a crowd of several hundred people.

Folks, I was more than a little scared that I would be verbally assaulted at least. Instead, I saw many smiles and nods, and was treated with respected when I entered the polling place to vote.

Since that first day, the signs have remained where I placed them - at each entrance to the parking lot.

Turns out FDR was on the right track when he said - the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Still a little scared, still a little teary, but by God, I am not giving up on my country. I like your Monsters, Inc. reference because I do it for the little ones - and those too old to do it for themselves.

[fizzgig]

23. it's seeing the kids after voting for the first time

that really gets me. I work in food service on a college campus with about two dozen students. We have an early polling place in the student union and each day for the last week at least one of the kids has come in with an "I voted" sticker and they are just so excited about what they have just done.
I don't agree with everyone's politics, but I think it is just awesome how happy they are to have participated in the democratic process...it gives me some hope that my generation cares about what's going on in our world.

[tanyev]

27. Hi kagehime!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[The Wielding Truth]

24. That's the part that's wholesome and good. Let's just hope they count.

[lancdem]

25. What state are you in?

[tanyev]

28. The great state of Texas!

Hoping to reclaim that greatness on Nov. 2. And although I really don't want W back here, it will be worth it to get him out of the White House!

[cynatnite]

26. I'm taking my daughter into the booth with me

I talked to her today and she is very excited.

Our oldest daughter is voting in her very first election and she just can't wait.

Voting is a family affair :)