NEVER MIND MILLER....IT'S VOTING TIME!

THE CENTURION CHRONICLE
Special Issue – Nov-2010

NEVER MIND MILLER….IT'S VOTING TIME!
(it's a serious occasion….so no mail-in procedure for me)

Tomorrow, at the earliest I can bestir myself from my slumbers, I'm going to crank up and get ready for my usual ritual of getting primed to get out there and go vote….in person. Never mind MILLER….it's voting time! It's a serious occasion….so no mail-in procedure for me.

I don't know about anyone else out there, but all these new gimmicks to make voting "easier", more "convenient", and otherwise less of a "burden" is nonsense. They diminish not only its meaning, but the value of that right as well.

Too many people seem to have gotten fat and lazy about – voting – these days. Many don't even register to exercise that right. Others, though registered, just don't bother to vote, equating it apparently with another citizen's right (and duty)….jury service. What they overlook is…IF YOU DON'T VOTE….YOU DON'T COUNT!

I suppose it's a matter of values, what's important. Hell, they'll line up in droves, to camp out all night, just to be the first in line for the opening doors of a "blowout" sale at Walmart, Target, Macy's, or even Nike, to get their hands on some cheaply made-in- China or elsewhere imported "stuff", palmed off on them as a deal….at over-inflated prices. But….having to stand in line to vote….or spend maybe an hour….to do so. No on your Nelly! Horrors!

As for me, I like to make it a formal ritual, giving the exercise of my right to vote its proper respect.

Though rising early for the occasion, I will have myself a nice leisurely breakfast of some favorites. All the while, solemnly re-browsing through my sample ballot, verifying my initial selections, or, making any final changes I think are necessary. In this instance, having previously decided not to support any Democratic or Republican candidate for any office, I'm re-checking the alternative choices for each of the offices in play. There aren't a lot of them, but they do pique my interest, so I go over these again, narrowing things down to an ultimate choice.

It's a process of elimination for me, mostly determining which ones seem to have the most likely and broadest perspectives, rather than any single issue narrow focus. It's not easy, but I'll soon have my picks sorted out . Frankly, it's a lot like trying to pick a winner at the racetrack, either way, you pay your money and you take your chances. But the way things are these days, and in our present circumstances, the odds are about even for making an alternative voting selection this way. They sure as hell can't be any worse than what we're being offered by our two major parties.

Well, that's what and how I'll vote tomorrow. It's my right as a citizen of this great republic of ours, and the devil take the hindmost!

Besides, if none of these yoyos work out, I can then righteously bitch and moan, rave and rant about anything. Democracy let's you vote –dumb- as well as – smart -.

CENTURION