Perhaps a week ago Obama, in his campaign speeches, started using the term "Romnesia" as a way of saying Romney can't remember what position he declared yesterday on any given issue. That is, naturally, too rich to go without comment by wags on the internet, you can see the result here.
But other than that lighthearted moment I've been feeling mighty grumpy about the election. My friend and debate partner remains hopeful (at least the last time we talked). Even so, I'm ready to tune out for the next 11 days. I'm ready to turn off my radio when the daily campaign update is on the news. The reason for the grumpiness:
* Electronic voting and the ability of it to be tampered with is still out there. Sheesh, hadn't we dealt with this back in 2004? This particular story deals with the issue in as it relates to the four marriage equality battles. But it will involve more than that where electronic voting is still in use in battleground states. Bush v. Gore round two as Obama v. Romney?
* Ongoing stories of voter intimidation (alas, I didn't collect links) such as letters sent out in Florida (I believe) telling voters that it is illegal for non-citizens to vote.
* Emails from Washington state saying the lead in the marriage equality battle has shrunk by 10 points (they're still ahead by 4 points) due to nasty ads by the opposition ("Gays are out to git yer kids!"). Of course, the email asks for money. Again.
The whole election feels like a power that is desperate wielding the full force of its might to stay in power. That wielding is in the form of huge amounts of money and huge amounts of lying. I've had enough. Wake me when it's over.
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FWIW, the electronic voting is even more troubling considering that the Romney family is heavily invested in machines that are being operated in Colorado and Ohio.
ReplyDeleteThe ads running here in Washington state against R74 just began appearing 2 weeks ago. The campaign running those ads is way behind in getting them on the air and on fund raising. Apparently, though, they are having an effect. What's truly weird is the one ad where they feature people from places where marriage equality exists. One couple complains that they can no longer rent out their inn for weddings because they aren't allowed to discriminate (not put that way of course). The other instance involves a sportscaster from Canada who tweeted his opposition to equality and got fired for the position (I'm pretty certain that ESPN would fire him as well even without equality).
There are plenty of Republicans here who support marriage equality. Some of them are getting involved in ads and editorials. I remain hopeful that it will pass.
One interesting byproduct of this issue was an article in The Stranger. The article focused on heterosexuals promoting the issue to the public. One pair featured in the article were campaigning on Capitol Hill (a neighborhood in Seattle known for a large LGBT population). The pair spent a fair amount of time outside of a gay club and it was astounding how many folks within the gay community were unaware of the issue.