It's Election Day here in the (dis)United States, that momentous day where we collectively pretend to have a say in the running of the country while those in charge pretend to listen. One third of the seats in the Senate and all the seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs in this exercise in representative democracy.
In this age of instant communication, what need do we have of 'representatives' other than to manufacture the illusion of choice?
“Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth.” --- Lucy Parsons
Ever since I've been old enough to vote, democracy has been in peril for one reason or another. Again and again we're told that the solution is to get out and vote. Time and again we've done exactly that. Have things gotten better? You tell me.
"If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal" --- Emma Goldman
Voting is much like going to the casino. The house always wins and if you're honest with yourself you know you're going to come out poorer for it in the long run but there's always that slight chance of getting lucky and it can be a fun way to kill some time.
Since I turned 18 I have yet to miss an election, in no small part so I don't have to listen to 'If you don't vote you can't complain.' Not that it helps, they just bleat about wasting your vote instead. Seems there's no pleasing some people. I always vote for the person that I think will best represent me but so far Colonel Jethro has yet to win anything. Did get at least two votes for county surveyor this year, so things are trending in the right direction.
Wasn't sure I would even be able to get my camera inside the polling place so I took these with my phone today.
Random bit of trivia: Up until 2013 you couldn't buy alcohol on Election Day until after the polls closed here in Kentucky.