V.O.T.E in the USA

So months and months of campaigning, smear ads, debates, and all over voter-fatigue has culminated in today, November 2, 2004. Today those who choose to, will vote for the man they feel is qualified to run our country for the next 4 year. Or at least, they'll attempt to vote.

There have been contests and questions and huge problems in the past, even before the 2000 elections. But this is the first year that I can think of that the election results have been contested even before it started. The lawyers and contestors have been lining up for several weeks now, all waiting to sink their teeth into the meaty hocks of the clueless voter, eager to either call voter fraud, voter disenfranchisement, or any assortment of fouls that will muck up the election.

Sometimes I wonder if it matters though. With the record number of uninformed and ill-informed voters taking to the polls, how bad is it if some of those votes aren't counted? Yes, yes, yes, I realize it is bad. Just because someone votes on what Michael Moore or MTV tells them, doesn't mean that the vote is any less valid than the vote of someone who reads the Wall Street Journal everyday. And every vote needs to be counted, no matter how stupid the voter or ill-advised the vote. Of course if the courts get involved, no ones vote will probably matter anyway.

One of the marks of the success of the US government is the fact that for 228 years we've basically had a successful transfer of power. We've never had a coup or a militant violent uprising due to the choice of leader. Not that we are headed into South American political territory, but this election feels intensely insecure. No matter who wins, half the country won't like it. Just as in the previous election, the winner will not have a true mandate from the masses. The next 4 years are going to be tough ones. It is doubtful that either candidate has a legitimate plan to fix Iraq and get us out of there. Neither candidate can provide the quick fix for the economy -- no candidate would. While Bush and Kerry have differing points of view and plans for the country, in reality things have been set in motion that neither will have much control over, no matter how much they think they will. In many ways, this election is more ideological than practical. But since chances are neither ideology will be declared the clear victor, I doubt this battle will be decided.

The election year seemed to begin with the calendar year and by all indications, might end with it. The fact that one of these 2 "folks" will take up the office in January 2005 is enough to make me want to sit in bed all day and just hide under the blankets hoping it will all just go away and we'll be back in the heyday of Millard Fillmore or William Henry Harrison. No such luck, huh?