Election Day Observations [long post]

Well, I fought my instinct to vote as early as possible and waited to go with DH Jeff mid-afternoon, around 3pm. Two words: 5 minutes. That's how long it took to go thru the line, vote and meet up w/Jeff outside. Awesome. Especially since the volunteers said that early voting was crammed: lines snaked 3-deep in the little school gym and around the block. At this point, the polls in Arlington have just closed, but have no fear, folks who are still in line - you will be able to vote if you're in line at 7pm.

Now, here are some observations about our little polling place:
-we have had electronic voting for several years now.
-first it was these big boards with the contests outlined and with pressure sensitive choice areas. Seemed to work fine.
-then it was pressure sensitive computer screens with a hard-to-miss, big, final red rectangular place that read, appropriately "VOTE." Again, seemed to work fine.
-today, they asked you if you wanted to go with the screen or paper ballot.
-they're going to devolve and go back to paper ballots in future elections.
-however, instead of the computer print-outs of voters to check against, each volunteer had this cute, little mini-computer to look you up. Cool.

Now, here's an interesting pre-election observation: there were skads of young, Dem volunteers to engage "undecideds" -- in downtown DC & Clarendon. Huh? Both Arlington and DC was Dem strongholds. Ok, so I giggled when they asked if I had a moment for the Democratic party, and declared that I was solidly on the other side. I must say, though, that they folks were all very polite. At least that.

Ok, now, I bought a bottle of Bombay Sapphire today, sure, hopefully for celebration purposes, but, I fear, more likely, for solace.

Here's what I fear if Obama wins:
- socialism - enough said? For some of you out there, clearly not. I don't want to relinquish even more of my "wealth" for bureaucracy, social programs, "re-distribution of wealth," etc. Do you realize that neither Jeff nor I own a car and our apt is just below 1000 sq feet? This isn't wealth - it isn't poverty - but it's not wealth. Not complaining, I just don't think others deserve more of my money just because they chose to make financially irresponsible choices and not stay in school.

- a decrease in First Amendment rights - ie, speaking your mind. Yeh, liberals are all for F/A rights, except when those views contradict theirs. How dare we question anything about Obama (his views, his personal associations, his words about his racist grand mother, etc, etc.). Fairness Doctrine, anyone? Uggh.

- a premature withdrawal from Iraq. Disastrous.

- more class and race baiting...yeh, because Obama is a uniter. 'Cause he's done so bravely during his campaign. Yeh.

- Michelle Obama as First Lady. Angry, without any class (different from "class" above. Remind me again how much she's making per year? Uggh.

- One party, liberal rule. Uggh on so many levels.

- what all this comes to is more govt control over us (bigger govt), and less take-home pay. I don't think I owe anyone a living or should be forced (yes, taxation is force) to support folks just because they make less than I do. I'd love for anyone who thinks that there should be a financial "equalization" process or "economic justice" to personally give up most of his/her salary to support such efforts...but don't force it on me.

Do I think Sen. McCain & Gov. Palin are the answer to all ailments? No, of course not, but they're better than the alternative.

Another gin and tonic? Yep. In the words of the Borg Queen, "Watch your futures end." Looks like it.