Seven

Oct 28, 2008

Posted by: Oxymoronic

Uncategorized

Seven is an important number in the world of Harry Potter. Seven
books, seven years, seven (eight, by accident) Horcruxes. And now
seven is an important number in our world too. In seven days, America
will elect a new President of the United States.

The historic impact of this particular election is unprecedented. And
it’s not even over yet. It’s only just beginning, actually. For the
past several months, I’ve been witness to some of the ugliest politics
of my (and even my grandpa’s) lifetime. It hasn’t been pretty. The
mudslinging coming from both sides, although, sorry Republicans, mostly
from the red side, has been truly horrific.

Racism, division, hatred, bigotry, malice, deceitfulness — all the bad
things wrapped in the flag of FEAR — have reared their grotesque heads
without ceasing, one gigantic, ongoing and potentially destructive
cloud of obfuscation, designed exclusively for that purpose.

We must rise above this. We, as a nation, as the United States
of America, must come together to try and ensure as fair and just an
election as possible. Already the alarm bells have been going off in
Ohio, Colorado, and other battle-ground states about claims of voter
fraud, about tens of thousands of voters being purged from the rolls,
about maniacal and malfunctioning electronic voting machines switching
on voters while they attempt to cast their ballots, while they attempt
to fulfill their right to vote for whoever and whatever they want.

Frankly, I’m…wary. I hesitate to use the word ‘afraid’, because I’ve
made it my singular goal in life to try to always rise above my fear.
But the truth of the matter remains that this country is at a very
precarious tipping point, where our democracy is at stake. These are
high stakes — perhaps the highest — and the precedent set by the last
two elections should be cause for worry at the very least.

No matter what the outcome of the election in seven days, way more
important even than who comes out the winner, is the integrity behind
the process. American citizens should not be discouraged from voting.
Minority citizens should not be sent deceitfully incorrect information
(Democrats should vote on November 5th my foot). Voters should not be
purged from the rolls by the hundreds of thousands because of hyphens
in names, or because a box isn’t checked off.

People who live in a true democracy should not have to worry about the
President ordering the Attorney General to investigate claims of
supposed voter registration fraud in Ohio a week before the election.
People who live in a true democracy should not need to worry about
whether or not all the votes will be counted, and counted correctly,
and whether or not the entire election process is or has been
compromised.

I shouldn’t have to lose sleep wondering whether or not the election
results are going to be close enough to warrant the Republican-leaning
Supreme Court to step in once again and snatch the election away from
the people. I don’t want to have to worry about all this. There’s
enough to be getting on with, thanks, not the least of which is, even
if Obama wins, the Rove Machine has already put the ball into play
regarding ACORN and harmful claims of voter fraud and election theft
that they will use to help them undermine an Obama Administration.

They are desperate, after all. These are the same people who lied us
into a grossly disastrous war, who have mucked up the economy by
deregulating every aspect of Wall Street designed to protect the
citizens, and who stole (yes, stole) the election in 2000, and 2004.

We cannot allow this to happen anymore. This is America. This is the
UNITED States of America. And we have seven days. Seven. One week to
tip the scales one way or the other. But whatever we choose, whatever
we decide, every vote MUST count, and we have to be able to believe in
the system once again.

Before you vote, check on this website
to see what your state requires in terms of identification. Also, have
this number at the ready, just in case: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
(1-866-687-8683). Should you have problems trying to cast your vote,
call and report immediately.

The only thing standing in the way of your vote being counted is YOU
and your determination. I understand there’s only so much you can do
to ensure that your vote is counted fairly and squarely. But you have
to do at least so much.

In seven days, we’ll have a newly elected President. And regardless of
the constant attempts to keep our votes from being counted, if we show
up, in overwhelming numbers, and exercise our right to fight, we will have a say in the future of our country.





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.