It pays to procrastinate

Waiting to vote here in a local nursing home. Volunteer says line now (10:40) shortest it has been all day.

Those motivated and responsible early birds who showed up at 7 were greeted by a line halfway down the block.

Suckers.

One of those suckers who waited 90 minutes to vote made an Albertson's run and brought chocolate for everyone. This election brought to you by Hershey's Bliss.

On today's for this establishment's residents? A coffee social, bingo/stimulation and group chatter. Oh, and presidential triva, of course.

Overheard while in line...

Person A: Do they check ID?
Person B: I'm sure they do.
A: OK, I wasn't sure. Almost left home without it.
B: At least I hope they do. Otherwise someone might have voted for me.
A: Someone dead.

Nice comment, especially considering where we are right now.

Meanwhile, I get my ballot, but another poll worker accidentally almost rips my receipt part off prematurely. She said, "It's dangling, but it's OK." My reply: "Dangling? I've already been disenfranchised!" Laughing, she said, "It's OK, I trust you.

Her mistake.

By the way, that chocolate was insanely good. Appropriately named, indeed.

Oh, and voting was pretty damn fulfilling, too.

Vote Day

Typed out a whole long rant about politics, about which issues are truly important, about people calling either candidates ridiculous names or labeling them with ridiculous tags. It was cathartic. But I'll refrain from posting it here. Trying to keep this a happy place -- especially if Julie Bowen shows up.

All I'll say is this: I truly believe that one candidate (who does care deeply about this country) is trying to win an election while the other is trying to change this country for the better on a fundamental level.

One candidate wants the best for the U.S. but doesn't always understand how to best accomplish that goal, while the other is logical and levelheaded enough to push for policies that really will make a difference.

Personally, I have nothing against the former -- his horrifying running-mate choice aside -- but I hope his supporters are able to take a step back and see what happens should the latter happen to win this election.

It might just turn out OK, Red Staters. Many, in fact, believe it will turn out far better than OK. And after these last eight years, hope and belief ain't such bad things, are they?