Farewell, Election Day

I generally take Mr Will???s comments as gospel, and I do in this case also, so I will hid my face and change my voice when I vote early ??? again ??? this election season. Having two children under 10 years of age and a job that takes seventy hours a week of my time, early voting is just, well, easier, and I do not need more complication in my life. BUT, a different issue, to truly bring the population together in a collective explosion of civic pride and duty, let us COMBINE Election Day with Tax Payment Day and let us see what kind of nation we will forge then. Surf.

Once again George Will, from his high perch superior to the rest of the human race, "anachronistically" puts forth his nonesense. Change is here, George. It's obvious you hate any kind of change; you must wake up every morning and say "Why can't things be like they always were?" but life in 2008 is just different than the 1950's, which is apparently the last time you encountered reality, and "virtual voting" is a necessary change that reflects changing patterns in the electorate. But of course you're right: things used to be better and the only reason they changed is because those inferior to you came up with a bad idea and put it into action. One more thing to look down your nose about.

The slothful argument doesn't really hold up. It probably takes more effort to obtain, complete and return a ballot by mail then to wander over to the local polling station.

The trouble is that Will's decrying of absentee balloting is transparently partisan. He is afraid that absentee ballots will be mainly Democratic and will favor Obama. Adding to this bias is is ingrained attitude (a mirror image of the Democrats) is that some people are too ignorant, misinformed and selfish to be trusted with the vote. I call this self-serving view an example of Republican Royalism. He secretly believes that if you take out the ignorant voters, the voter frauds and those "problematic" absentee ballots the majority of the remaining voters would vote GOP. Funny, he wasn't so opposed to absentee voters in 2000, when the Republicans were bundling absentee ZRepublican votes form overseas enlisted men for Bush.

Why did I start voting by mail? One word...Diebold.

Perhaps as a rich, white male Mr. Will has never had to worry about his vote not being counted. And perhaps, living in California I am over reacting. But look at the elections of 2000 and 2004. Voters have the option of either facing the black box with no paper trail or long lines and damaged machines (if you're poor, black or hispanic). I'd rather make sure my vote is counted.

Why did I start voting by mail? One word...Diebold.

Perhaps as a rich, white male Mr. Will has never had to worry about his vote not being counted. And perhaps, living in California I am overreacting. But look at the elections of 2000 and 2004. Voters have the option of either facing the black box with no paper trail or long lines and damaged machines (if you're poor, black or hispanic). I'd rather make sure my vote is counted.

As an Oregonian, let me explain how our system really works. We will receive our ballots sometime next week along with our voting pamphlets. That does not mean that I will immediately fill out my ballot and mail it back the same day. I, like many Oregonians, fill out and mail our ballots usually a week before "election day". I know this for a fact because the local news stations always reports on the "surge" of ballots arriving at the various election centers starting around Halloween--3 or 4 days before the actual election day.
An absentee ballot is used by someone who for whatever reason wants to vote early. In Oregon, there are no absentee ballots. We just get them early and vote at our leisure--by mail. Because of this system, Oregon has over an 80% voting rate--highest in the nation.

Wow, George, that's one of the ugliest articles I've read in a long time. Why do people need mail-in ballots? Obviously for reasons that are so far from your reality, you just can't imagine them. Would you like to walk through a gang-infested neighborhood to your polling location? Would you like to try to squeeze in a trip to the polling spot in the tiny window you have between your two jobs... pretty much forfeiting any sleep or dinner? How about taking all of your small children with you while you try to vote -- you'd be lucky to get thru the first contest on the ballot. How about that hip replacement you just got? Feel like standing in line? You know, there are just too many reasons to list. Your ignorance or understanding of anyone else's plight disgusts me.

Your "fuzzy" intelectualism apparently doesn't allow clear thinking. Get a new life as a shoe salesman where there is a challenge to be met every 10 minutes. At least a shoe salesman can analyze and reccomend a product that fits the consumer. craigbrewer

Other than disclosure of McCain's medical records, I see no reason why every informed citizen shouldn't have their choice made by now. This is not a problem for me as I cannot understand how on earth how 50% of the electorate could possibly opt for perpetuating the Republican for another election year not to mention McCain's odd behavior and filter of world events through such an aggressive prism of military action.

As for the sense of community I think this is a bit silly. It is not as if Jimmy Buffett is running for President.

McCain has behaved so erratically, made so much more so by the support of Lieberman, I hope the two of them are looking for a nice fishing lodge where they can spend time together at the end of their current terms.

My Dad had the uncanny ability of originality of thought when it came to politics. Before he died of cancer, G_d rest his soul, he downloaded and read the actual Balfour Declaration. In a similar way, I look to you George for opinions that are not regurgitated compilations of other pundits and the injection of historical perspective.

I think Rumpelstiltskin could phone in his vote this round given the length of the season.

If you don't know who you are voting for by now you must be totally unengaged politically. Perhaps if you you are planning to vote for McCain you would want to see his medical history but who are these 50% that plan to repeat the horrific mistake made reelecting Republicans? If there was ever a year in which early decision is a slam dunk this is it. As for the feeling of community I will wait for Jimmy Buffett to run for office. George, I have the utmost respect for your opinion and you bring truly unique views rooted in history but these comments are a bit silly. This article sounds more like Andy Rooney than George Will.

If you don't know who you are voting for by now you must be totally unengaged politically. Perhaps if you you are planning to vote for McCain you would want to see his medical history but who are these 50% that plan to repeat the horrific mistake made reelecting Republicans? If there was ever a year in which early decision is a slam dunk this is it. As for the feeling of community I will wait for Jimmy Buffett to run for office. George, I have the utmost respect for your opinion and you bring truly unique views rooted in history but these comments are a bit silly. This article sounds more like Andy Rooney than George Will.

It's great to be nostalgic for the good old days when Aunt Bee would bring a pie down to the country fair, set up next to the voting booth. Times are different now. Traffic, work, eternal lines at the polling places, confusion over districts, valid ID (2 or 3 this time?). Time marches forward, not backwards. Soon we will vote via the Internet. Get a grip Will. Love your columns, btw.

Oh for crying out loud, George! Do you honestly think the only reason people vote absentee is because they are lazy? Get realistic! My late grandmother voted for years with an absentee ballot before she passed away because she was unable to get to the polls on her own, but wouldn't think of NOT voting, after working so hard toward the passage of the 19th amendment. This year, my husband knows he'll be out of the country on election day, but he wouldn't deram of not voting in such an important election. There are reasons for the absentee ballot, you see!

Talk about elitist!! Just because a mother of three young children can't possibly stand in line for hours to cast her vote - not only got president but for at list 10 other positions as well as over 20 statewide ballot issues and numerous local issues - does not mean I must be one of those that can't pull themselves off a couch to cast a vote or somehow infer that I don't have the intelligence to cast a thoughtful vote. It is estimated that it will take every voter in CO over 15 minutes to complete a ballot. The consequence - massively long waits on election day. Thank goodness for early voting!!