Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least. ~Robert Byrne, American author
It’s all anybody has talked about for months on end —
This Presidential Election Day madness.
Candidates have been out in full force
Flying to and fro across this great land,
Seeking to persuade the electorate
They know best what needs to be done
To solve problems in the economy, healthcare,
And other areas often seen as perplexing.
At last We the People have our say.
Most of us are tired of the rhetoric.
The innuendos, the promises, the ugliness of it all.
And while these “public servants” purport to work for us,
We’re wise enough to see they really don’t.
They vote themselves raises, they take advantage of laws
That put them above the common man.
If they really worked for us, we could fire them
At any time … and sometimes, we should.
At last We the People have our say.
We’ve suffered through this every-four-years ritual.
We’ve listened to debates, read newspaper analyses,
Heard television ads, grown accustomed to personalities.
Some of us have prayed for wisdom in choosing,
Others have sought discernment from those they respect.
The time for deciding is finally upon us.
What’s important now is going to the polls,
Making your voice count, exercising your voting right.
At last We the People have our say.
Elections are somewhat similar to athletic competitions.
We put on our Game Day faces, taunt our adversaries,
Brag about how hard we’re going to beat them.
But when push turns into shove, and the game’s at its end,
Opposing coaches and teams clasp hands and say “Good game.”
And just as they return to work, our opposing political parties
Make nice with one another, smile, offer congratulations,
And tuck all the nastiness away for another four years.
At last We the People have our say.
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Good luck, America! Whatever the result, I wish only the best for your great country. Much love from this side of the pond.
Bless you for saying that, Lucy! It’s a crying shame how things have deteriorated over here — here’s hoping the after-election days and weeks will run smoother!!
As my nan always says – it will sort itself out in the end. If it isn’t sorted, it isn’t the end. Thinking of each and every one of you!
Your nan is one wise woman. Something tells me, it’s not going to be sorted for a long time though. Probably much easier sorting students into Hogwarts houses!!
Yes, we get our say, however I’m not sure I’m prepared to hear it. Prayers today for our country. Thanks for this, Debbie.
Thank you, Audrey. I agree, prayers are desperately needed, now and in the days to come.
One thing seems to unite us: a desire for this to be over with, already. I’m all for going back to shorter campaigns and no early voting — only absentee for the elderly, military, overseas workers, and so on. I think it would help a good bit, and would make it all more bearable while we search around for candidates people can vote for, rather than against. 🙂
If you have 14 minutes, I’d recommend taking a look at this CBS video (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-american-voters-on-trump-clinton/). It really shows how divided we are as a nation … and points out how imperative it is that we end the nastiness. You’re right, Linda — we must do a better job nominating people we can support, rather than getting to Election Day and finding ourselves choosing between the lesser-of-two-evils.
Ugh….can’t wait for this one to be over. I pray we’ll learn from the ugliness and not let ourselves get in this situation again….two rotten choices.
I’m so with you, Barb. There’s a huge part of me, however, that worries whether this nastiness will ever be over. I worry we’ve boxed ourselves into corners, dug our feet in, and angrily proclaim that nothing and nobody will convince us we might be wrong. We need mediation!
Good one, Debbie. Do not want to know the results no matter who “wins.”
Sadly, John, there are no winners in an election like this. I fear those on the losing side are going to proclaim the whole thing was rigged, while those on the winning side merrily go about business.
You have it pegged correctly. Let’s hear it for the hanging chad in Florida.
🙂
OUTSTANDING words, Debbie, and perfect for this very day!
“What’s important now is going to the polls,
Making your voice count, exercising your voting right.
At last We the People have our say.”
Amen….and you are exactly correct! In fact, I just this minute walked into my apartment from voting. I have off today, so I decided to go just before lunchtime to avoid the crowds. I am so glad I did that because I got in and out in less than five minutes. Yahooooooo!
Yup…I voted!
Have a super day, my friend!
X
Thanks, Ron. I made my mind up early and voted right after your birthday, almost as soon as Illinois opened voting. It’s been nice sitting on the sidelines and watching the show … well, kind of. At least I wasn’t afraid of jumping the gun and deciding too early!
Good for you, doing your patriotic thing! And happy day off — hope yours is nicer than the coolish rain we’ve got going on here. xx
I hope you’re right that the nastiness goes away. This has been the nastiest election I ever remember, in any country. Good luck, America!
Thanks, FF. We can only hope now that we can all come together and put it all behind us. Holding the nastiest election in any country is a dubious “honor,” right?!
OUR VOICE Matters))))
Just voted.
Whatever happens, I want to be part of the solution! xx
Good for you, Kim! I pray that we’ll pull together in the aftermath and stop this nonsensical in-fighting. As somebody described it, it’s like we’re the children of two divorcing parents, and if asked who we want to go live with, we all say, “neither!”
Cole and I were the first ones in line to vote yesterday at 5:45am. Very cool. Especially for my first time voter (for president) I always vote on election day. And now all I can say is…Well, Trump was not my choice, but I am willing to give him a chance and work for the best. I will say the last two weeks have me wishing for an island free of everything but blue water, white sand, and drinks with umbrellas in them…and maybe someone to run, fetch and fan me. 😀
That kind of island sounds fabulous! If I promise to run and fetch, would you agree to share it with me?? Congrats on your first-time presidential voter — really makes you realize they’re growing up when that happens, doesn’t it?!
That really sums it up, Debbie. We have some big divisions in this country, and likewise, after the big disappointment, I am hoping for the best.
It says something about us (what, I’m not sure) that these two were the best candidates we could come up with. And voting for the lesser of two evils is no way to exercise one’s rights. Bigger heads than mine will have to sort this whole thing out. I hope, in the meantime, we can all put the nastiness behind us and move forward together!
Yes, I do also. It is very unsettling as this is the first time we have had protests like this over an election. People are just so divided in our nation.
Sadly, they are. I hope we can find a way to narrow the gap.