Today there were record numbers of voters at the Greenfield High School. The entire parking lot was full and I had to park between the football field and the hockey rink. For those of you unfamiliar with Greenfield, it is a rural town in Western Massachusetts with 13,736 residents (as of July 2007). Generally when I go to vote in the morning prior to work, it takes approximately 20 minutes, ten of which are spent socializing with individuals that I haven't seen in years. Today, I arrived promptly at 7:05am and did not get back into my car until 7:45am. It's important to point out, I did NOT socialize this morning- I was on a serious mission- vote & get to work!
According to: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/, Greenfield has 11,526 registered voters as of October 15, 2008; the breakdown is not so surprising- 3,831 democrats, 1,243 republicans, 6,335 unenrolled, 56 green rainbow, and 21 working families (which from my calculation still leaves 40 unaccounted individuals). Anyways, back to my point... it was a crazy, mob scene at good 'ole GHS this morning. Not only were we voting in a historic presidential campaign, but there were some necessary ballot questions as well as races for senate, congress, and a wide array of important political positions.
During our primaries, Rachel and I researched the ballot questions and decided early on how we would vote. Question # 1 proposed a law that would reduce the state personal income tax rate to 2.65% for all categories of taxable income for the tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2009, and would eliminate the tax for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2010. Question # 2 proposed a law that would replace the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties, to be enforced by issuing citations, and would exclude information regarding this civil offense from the state's criminal record information system. Question # 3 proposed a law that would prohibit any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of dogs occurs. And lastly, Question # 4 calls for supporting legislation that would establish health care as a human right and opposing any laws penalizing the uninsured for failing to obtain health insurance.
Who out there is asking "What the hell does this post have to do with the Masson baby?" I agree, Right? Where am I going with this rant... well, today's election is historic and will ultimately impact, not only us as voting adults, but will ultimately impact our baby and future generations. Todays election is inspiring millions of Americans to vote and has caught the attention of our international peers, as well. Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, could become the nation's first African-American president. And, if the Republican nominee Sen. John McCain wins, he would be the oldest person elected to a first term as president, and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, would be the first woman vice president.
2 comments:
I voted! Harry voted! Hannah voted for the first time! Hurray! We are a household of voters! Erin is thrilled that Obama won, because she's already committed to going to the inaugaration in January & she didn't really want to go to McCain's inaugaration. Erin has been active on YA for Obama for months & is an official "Obama Action Hero". So...anyone who thinks that this post has nothing to do with the baby is just plain wacky. My babies are now big enough to be involved in their own futures and the future of this country. I'm proud to say that they all learned this from me...just like Baby Masson will learn this from you! Go Masson Moms!
Go Wade household of strong women voters!
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