V-O-T-E

Today is election day and I cast my ballot. I didn't vote FOR anyone, but in the races that I voted in, I voted AGAINST certain candidates. Utah politics are quirky and my views don't really fit in anywhere. I'm not an extremist... that's the problem! I don't believe the government is inherently evil, that the world is going to end in 26 days, or that scare tactics should be used in politcal campaigns. I don't believe that the "R" next to a candidate's name means "righteous" or that the "D" stands for "damned". I also have never voted a straight party ticket because I don't believe in the party system because both major parties have sold themselves to every special interest group out there so neither party really stands for anything at all. But I still exercised my right to vote.

Miles and I walked to our polling place... the junior high. We walked in and were greeted by a very perky older gentleman who first wanted to show me where to stand in line and then tell me all about his grandsons. Next, I showed my photo ID (new thing in Utah... showing ID to vote!) to a sweet grandma-type lady who signed me into her book and told her next-door-neighbor-chairmate my name. That lady wasn't listening at all, but the "debit card" voting machine lady was. She had my card ready in a flash, but I couldn't take it because lady #3 hadn't done her job and still hadn't heard my name. Finally she tried to find my name... in the "M" section. I told her that Belnap started with "B" and she wouldn't find me in the "M" names. She started leafing through her tabs... L, K, J, I, H... until she finally came to "B". Then she asked me what letter came next... I told her "E, Be". So she starts running her finger down the page of "Ba" last names. Page by page she ran her finger down her ledger until she finally came to the "Be" names. "What the next letter?" she asked. At that point I wanted to scream "Let me find my own name!!!", but I didn't and I patiently replied "L; Bel". Finger scroll again until she tells me that I'm not in the book because I'm not listed with the "Bells". Deep breath. I help her find my name and I signed my name in her book.

I got my voting card and went over to the touch screens. I love touch screen voting. A few seconds later I'd picked my candidates, voted on the Utah amendments, and ignored the judges sections (except for the one who signed Aly's divorce papers... he got a YES from me). Then I printed my ballot, cast my ballot, returned the voting card and got my sticker!

So while I do not expect anyone I voted for to win (except the judge should retain his seat), I voiced my opinion. Mr. Sandstrom... do you really think that every person who is not a minor should be able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit? Mr. Lee, do you really think that I am not smart enough to vote for U.S. Senators... you want to change the US Constitution to take that right away from me, but you first need my vote to send you to D.C.... sorry, you didn't get it. Mr. Chaffetz, your 15 minutes of fame has been up in my book for a real long time. Mr. Herbert, are you a crook, or just really, really dumb... or do you think I'm the dumb one? Mr. Corroon, I really did not like the style of campaign you ran. You should have allowed Mr. Herbert to implode himself. Mr. Granto, Mr. Baugh, and Ms. Hyer, just because you are the other major party's candidate does not mean you earned my vote either. To earn my vote, you must go out and act like a candidate. Good luck to all who are elected tonight; but try to remember those who gave you your office.