I am a U.S. citizen and a third-generation Democrat. Today I voted early. Thank you, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and the other suffragists who worked so hard to win this right. The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was ratified in 1920. And so I cast my vote for President, Senator, Congress, and more.
“Isn’t this the greatest country in the world?” a friend asked frivolously at the town center.
“Sure,” I said half-mockingly. “We’re living the dream.”
In 33 states and Washington, D.C, you can vote early without an excuse at various town centers, the auditor’s office, libraries, etc. Why vote early? No lines, lots of leisure, and your duty is done.
You go into a table-lined room, your identity is ascertained by a few quick questions, you fill in rectangles on the ballot, and then drop it in the unprofessional-looking plastic ballot box.
It’s over!
And now I feel relaxed.
It has been an ugly election. And if I had to take much more of it, I might not have voted at all. So I did it early. The Republicans want to undo all the great work of Obama and generations of brilliant, well-educated men and women. Every day I am horrified by Trump’s vile opinions of women, immigrants, race, war, abortion, etc.
Clinton was not my first choice for the Democratic candidate, but she is solid and has all the qualifications. So, yes, I supported Bernie, but now it’s Go, Hillary! She will do a great job. I laughed at Trump when he said at the State Fair in 2015 that he would build a wall between Texas and Mexico. How did he become the Republican candidate?
The Democrats are worried about getting the vote out. Do vote! It’s not just for president: we need good senators, congressmen and women, state senators, and state reps.
Why is it our duty to vote?
Well, I myself am thrilled by
- The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare
- The still affordable state university system, funded almost equally by federal and state money. Pell grants, loans, and scholarships made it possible for so many of us to get a great education. May it continue!
- The national parks.
- The EPA and environmental awareness.
- Social Security (it’s still there: let’s keep it.)
- And so much more.
Hillary Clinton was one of my mother’s idols. She spoke often about hearing Hillary and Bill speak on the Pentacrest in Iowa City in 2008. She gave me Hillary’s memoir because she thought “it was important.”
So fingers crossed, we are about to have our first woman president.
mirabile dictu 
Amen to everything you said, Kat. I couldn’t have said it any better. I can’t wait for this torment to be over. I wish we could vote early.
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I don’t know why some and not all states have early voting! I found out about it this year.
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I have doubts about Clinton: I do not think she is the white and pure dove. But considering that you have only choice between Trump and Clinton, there is no doubt this time that I would vote Clinton, were I American. And as a foreigner, being frightened by the economic developments and the military and nuclear forces held by the US, there is no doubt at all that I am fully in favour of a Clinton presidency!
I do regret that a third mandate cannot be allowed to President Obama (and HIS wife: I admire Michelle Obama).
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She’s solid. The press has smashed her since she was First Lady and they didn’t believe she baked cookies (the First Ladies were required to publish cookie recipes in a women’s mag)! She has achieved so much and, though not my first choice, she should be very good.
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In any case, she is better than her opponent. I would not trust him for anything in the world or a promise of harp, wings and a seat in Heaven!
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Good luck America – Hillary isn’t the perfect candidate but the alternative is unthinkable.
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Yes, we need the luck!
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Good for you. Let’s be more positive about Hillary. She has a good track record on social issues; she is sound on most thing but foreign policy (she is hawkish). Sanders has promised he will keep her up to the mark for a number of important reforms, and when she’s President I know she will act judiciously, thoughtfully, the way she did in the senate.
I’m not voting before Nov 8th but I’ll be there bright and early in the morning voting for the first woman president of the US.
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Yes, we need to be more positive and get the vote out! I did admire many of her actions as Secretary of State, too. Go, Dems!
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Hillary is the only choice we have. I can’t wait for this to be over and until then, I’ll be a nervous nelly.
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It will be a relief! Yes, she IS our only choice.
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I voted early (thanks to my state and county) and so need not fear the long lines of my voting precinct. I agree with all of your points. I remain terrified of what will happen, however. I read “It Can’t Happen Here” (1936) by Sinclair Lewis and I fear that it CAN happen here. I agree with all of your points, but I am not relaxed. Thank you for posting this.
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Yes, I can’t wait for this election to be over. I have concerns because they’re going after Hillary’s email again, even though it is somebody els’es email! I just found my copy of It Can’t Happen Here .
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