What a day!
I realize that I'm echoing many such declarations, but...did anyone believe, only four years ago, that Democrats would go into the voting booth in 2008 and be able to choose between a woman and an African-American?
I heard two people talking in the local espresso hangout, one of them complaining that, with Hillary in the White House, it will be like having Bill there. Excuse me, but didn't he give us a balanced budget, affordable housing, full-hearted attempts at a better health care system, equality...
If you don't live in California, you might not know that we're voting today on whether or not we should approve a major increase in Indian-land gambling...obstensibly to put money into our schools. Huh? First of all, since when does a society encourage gambling as a way to finance education. Second, we voted on that years ago...so where's the money for the schools? Perhaps they used it to finance half-way houses for men and women addicted to gambling.
Bottom line, final message: Don't forget to vote.
- Login Or register To Post Comments
- Send To A Friend
RSS- Bookmark With:
Belle Yang says:
Europeans
What most Americans don't realize is that the Europeans have even a greater interest in the outcome.
When I was studying in British Isles, American students went to bed while the Brits stayed up all night to await election results. Reagan was elected and my classmates were the first to tell me with the words, "So why aren't you wearing mourning black?"
Victoria Zackheim says:
Times are changing
I agree that politics stirs up far more heat in some of the European countries, but I'm convinced that yesterday changed the attitude about politics in this country for a very long time. Record numbers voted and American youth became passionately engaged. This can only be good in a country known for political apathy. How sad that it took a war and utter incompetence to stir passions.
With all the excitement, I still prefer the French system: one weekend of primaries, with the election six weeks later. That means a barrage of campaigning for perhaps 12 weeks, and then it's decided. The people decide, not the media.
Belle Yang says:
Voting Turnout
Hi, again, Victoria--
The Swiss have the lowest voting turnout and we are right next to them as the second lowest. And, if I am not mistaken, Belgium has the highest voter turnout.
And then there are countries, like China, where no real voting takes place. Only rubber stamping.
My heart is with Barack, my head is with Hillary. And I agree entirely with your original blog (the casinos). It's not impossible that we'd have both of them on the ticket. It's happened with Johnson as VP of Kennedy after they fought against one another the primaries.
Sigh. The Casinos get their wishes. Weird country we live in where major funding comes from the self-destructive habits. It ain't right.
Huntington Sharp says:
I'm not saying it's right, but...
...our society has encouraged gambling as a way to finance education for a while now. For example, the California Lottery was sold to us back in the 80s as a way to raise money for schools.
Huntington Sharp, Red Room
Belle Yang says:
I remember, Huntington
I'm old enough to remember when the lottery came into being for us in California. I thought it was rather a strange concept then.
Huntington Sharp says:
Me too, Belle
I remember it being argued in my family at the time, with Mom (who loves nothing more than a weekend in Reno) being for, and Dad being against. Interestingly, when this same family argued the Indian casino measures last Sunday while watching the Super Bowl, similar divisions appeared.
It's not the same as a sin tax, which takes advantage of behavior that people were going to engage in anyway. It's creating new "sins" from which to siphon. I think many of these deals amount to a regressive tax on poor people.
Huntington Sharp, Red Room
Victoria Zackheim says:
Perhaps we could do this....
Should every casino offer Gamblers Anonymous meetings?
Sorry, I can't help feeling cynical about this. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd be very surprised if that gambling money ended up in our educational system. (And I won't even START my rant about the governor.)