Warning: Political Rant

by Valerie Mann

It’s Election Day here in the USA. Apologies to readers who aren’t from the United States, but this is going to be a semi-rant about the recent election process here in my great nation.

First, let me emphatically state I am just about the most patriotic person I know. I watch the news faithfully, I’ve been a poll watcher in past elections, I helped a candidate run for office, and I take no prisoners when it comes to telling people that just because they don’t know who to vote for is NOT an excuse to stay away from the voting booth.  

I had to remember that being a mother means unconditional love when two of my three adult children said they weren’t voting because none of the candidates for president rocked their world. Especially annoying that one of them was a daughter and I reminded her that her great-grandmother didn’t have the RIGHT to vote, and her great-great-grandmother was heavily involved in the Women’s Sufferage movement.

Having said all that, here’s what I’ve observed and what I’d like to tell the candidates and the media:

Religion shouldn’t matter. Super left or super right…it’s how you conduct yourself that matters. There are hypocrites everywhere, no matter what they say they believe in.

Don’t make your religion or anti-religion my problem.  On the other hand, respect my beliefs and don’t ridicule them.

Race shouldn’t matter and quit making an issue of it. Wasn’t that the purpose of the Civil Rights movement? To ensure equal rights for all, because skin color should be about nothing more than DNA.

Gays can vote conservative.  

Christians can vote liberal.

Voting for liberal candidates does not make me a hateful, spiteful left-wing idiot.

Voting for conservative candidates does not make me a hateful, close-minded right-wing nut.

Women are strong. Women make up half the voting demographic. Quit telling us what we need. We had that figured out a long time ago, we aren’t stupid. And quite frankly, we’ll do what we want to do regardless of what you think is best for us. We’re a pretty resourceful group.

Spend my money wisely. Here’s a novel concept: the economy will never be fixed unless you quit spending money. Every kindergartner knows that the more money you put in the piggy bank, the less you spend, and the more money you’ll have for stuff you really want.

War is a necessary evil.  Just don’t ask my sons and daughters to fight a war unless there’s a compelling reason to do so. I’d kind of like having them around for awhile longer, you know?

Times are tough, people worry. I don’t know anyone who isn’t feeling weighted down by what’s happening here and the rest of the world. Even if none of the candidates make you warm and fuzzy, you need to vote. People in countries where there is no democratic process would gladly take your place. Ask this woman how happy she was to have that opportunity...

An Afghani Woman votes