I received my Voter Registration Card in the mail today. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that this is the first time I have ever had one. To be honest, I had never cared to have one due to my overall cynicism of government. Even as I hold my card, I still have no faith than anyone on my government gives a damn about what I think or need. I see them collectively as a cesspool of self-interest who is more interested in paving the way to their own longevity through a mix of corruption and scheming, sprinkled with a dash of ineptitude. How could a governing body, made up primarily of the rich and privileged, possibly share the same interests that I do?
No, I didn't do it because of a change of heart about these fools and idiots. I registered to vote out of the desire to at least have a voice, even if it is ignored by my "representatives". In order to be able to even participate in the process, I decided I have to follow the rules. I suspect that any calls that I make or letters that I write to any representative probably lack heft once they see that I am not registered. This could explain why I don't receive any call-backs or responses. I have little retort to all of this if I can't claim to be a voter. This action is the easiest thing I can do to help my animal friends.
Whether it ultimately makes a difference is yet to be seen. I guess I hearken back to a joke I heard once:
A man is down on his luck and can't seem to make ends meet. He prays to God that he win the lottery. Lottery night comes and goes and he isn't announced as the winner. He decides to pray again, this time adding all of the pitiful details of his situation that he figures God must not have been aware of. He waits for news that he has won but it doesn't come. Reaching a critical point in his faith, he lashes out at God. In his anger and frustration, he over steps and asks God why he has forsaken him. His question is answered by a baffled God who exclaims from on-high, "Meet me half-way here dude, and buy a freaking lottery ticket!" (Credit to whoever was the original writer)
Now that I have my "ticket", my chances of being a "winner" have increased exponentially. At least I can't be accused of not caring enough to register and I won't feel guilty about having been on the side lines for some important battles. Proposition 2 was a major victory for animal rights in California and while I had shared my opinions with people on the topic, ultimately my vote was not counted and I couldn't really share in the victory party. I guess I am a slow learner, but at least I am still able to learn.
