Technically, of course, I voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, by mail, but emotionally it was AGAINST Trump all the way. I would have voted for anybody–hell, any living organism and a few dead ones–if they were on the ballot against Trump, but it feels great to have cast my ballot against Trump. (I don’t how we would deal with a dead cockroach in the Oval Office–“Here, Mister Dead Cockroch, another bill for you to sign into law”?)
But have I done enough?
Like Judge Reinhold’s bit on Schindler’s List, I ask “Couldn’t I have done more?” I’m not talking about voting twelve times (would if I could get away with it) but it now feels empty. I’ve contributed $100 to the Harris-Walz campaign, I’ve written postcards to voters in Georgia imploring them to vote (“Dear Hopeless Moron Who’s Still Undecided,”) until my wrist ached, and I suppose I could give more money (probably will) and write more postcards (probably won’t) but now that I’ve cast my ballot, mostly what I can do is have anxiety.
And it will go on beyond Election Day, because you know even a wipeout defeat won’t deter Trump from claiming that he won bigly until the last of his supporters gives up the fight, probably about 2032, when Trump himself is mouldering in the grave.
Whatchoo talkin’ bout’,@GailForce? You have more than fulfilled your role as an educated, caring voter and went above and beyond to motivate those that need some help in those aspects. I say you deserve a gold star AND a cookie.
I wonder this myself. I’ve donated money but that seems a little weak.
My problem is that I hate pretty much all attempts by politicians to woo me directly (mail, phone, knock on door). I find them universally annoying (regardless of which politician is trying). As a result, I do not want to be a part of that. I don’t want to mail postcards or cold-call people or knock on doors.
I get this stuff can be important but I can’t bring myself to do it. (Or I am making excuses to be lazy)
I definitely respect the OP for doing what they can to make a difference even if I would not want a knock on the door myself.
I decided my line on the sand is that i didn’t want to cold-text anyone. I don’t mind a certain amount of spam. I suspect that junk mail is why i still get daily mail service, which i value. I screen my phone calls, but sometimes take political ones. But damn, i don’t want you to text me out of the blue.
I can’t wait to cast my vote. Our time is coming up, and I’ll do it by mail. Oh, and I gave Kamala a C-note as well, the day after it was announced she’d be the candidate.
You’ve done a lot. I think you can give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back and coast to the finish if you so choose.
If you really want to do a smidgen more and are inclined to donate some additional funds, I’d focus on those important Senate races that could use a little boost. Jon Tester of Montana comes to mind. Also Colin Allred, who’s running against Ted Cruz in Texas, or Debbie Mucarsel-Powell against Rick Scott in Florida. These are close races where just a bit more outreach could make a difference. Harris taking the presidency won’t mean much if she has an adverse Senate.
But truly, thanks for everything you’ve already done. It’s much more than most.
The Mrs and I sent off our absentee ballots a few days ago, voting the straight democratic ticket because all the local pubbie candidates are rabid MAGA types, along with the state and federal candidates. I’m now trying to ignore political news as I’ve really done all I can and I don’t need more aggravation or grinding of my teeth.
Besides my vote, donations are all I got. I’ve spent 25 years on this very site trying to sway people over to my way of thinking and have failed spectacularly. I can only hope that my money is entrusted to those with better powers of persuasion than I possess.
IMO, you’ve already got 99.9% of us beat in the involvement sweepstakes! Brava!
I’m pretty sure that Harris/Walz will win, though Trump will do all he can to invalidate the results. They have such a giant war chest, though you’d never know it from the pleas for donations that flood my inbox, that I don’t think the amounts normal people can contribute will affect the outcome at all.
What worries me now is that she will be hamstrung by both a hostile congress and supreme court. Sadly, I can’t do anything about the latter, but I have been sending donations to other Democrats on the ballot.
My gf volunteered for a day at a registration drive in Pittsburgh, and they were incredibly busy, as students were moving in to attend the University of Pittsburgh. She came home very happy, as the vast majority of people she interacted with will be voting for Harris/Walz.
Amen to that. My daughter and SIL moved to upstate New York last year. I’ve talked with them about coming home to visit, and vote. My daughter probably won’t, she’s very morally straight.
Contributed another $100 to Harris-Walz today. Actually $110–they asked me to “tip” 10% to contribute to other candidates so I did. Still don’t feel that I’ve done my share, though I am retired and living on Social Security and savings. I’m remarkably cheap otherwise–this is way out of character for me, though I don’t suppose I’ll miss the $220 bucks or will need to start including dog food in my daily diet any time soon.
I’m actually looking for ways (theoretically) to give away my savings, which I think will outlast me, so this is as good a way as any I can think of. If Trump wins the election, I’ll be kicking myself I didn’t contribute more. God, how I despise that man! There aren’t words to express my contempt for him, and for the people voting for him. Not words clean enough to put here, anyway.
Or in the Pit? No, there are no words for Trump that are clean enough to put in the Pit, either.
