Time is running out, if you haven’t voted yet, get out there!  I voted earlier this afternoon, and I’m still buzzing with excitement.  I’ve never been as enthusiastic about an election, as I am about this.

Here’s me just after voting:

I was going to document more, like inside my voting booth, but

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All this talking of voting and the like today, and to be honest, I hadn’t really been feeling the buzz of it all.  I mean, even though I’m in Chicago, I voted two weeks ago, by absentee ballot in my home state of California.  So the political ads didn’t pertain to me, and the campaigns have been going on for so long now (what, like, seven years?), it’s hard to believe it’s actually ending ever, let alone today.  Remember when Mitt Romney was a frontrunner?  Exactly.

So, today, I had planned one watching the results while playing video games, in my apartment, because at this point I’m just worn out by it all, and kinda just want it all to just go away.  I’d still be excited when my guy wins (I’m trying to maintain the non-partisanship here), and when Prop 8 gets rejected so my sister can get married in December, but try and be subdued about it.

Until my friend called and offered a ticket for me to go to the Obama rally.  Seems kinda like something I have to go to.

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The non-partisan Pew Trust issued the results of its final election survey yesterday which found Barack Obama leading John McCain by 6 points (52% to 46%). There are many forces that can explain this significant difference. Obama has run a fantastic grassroots campaign that has solicited the support of many first time voters and youth who have been his stalwart supporters since the beginning. He also offers a vision for our nation that defies racial, economic and social divisions that will bring much needed healing to our country after 8 years under George W. Bush. Last, we’ve all lived through one of, if not the worst, presidency ever. Bush’s reactionary vision for our country has left us in a shaky position as he has dismantled thousands of regulations, laws and international treaties designed to ensure environmental protection, human rights, civil rights, worker-place safety, health care access, torture policies, veterans benefits, educational access and many more that I don’t have room to list. The New York Times reports today that Bush is scrambling in his remaining 77 days (can they end any quicker?) to implement his final rollbacks on civil liberties, abortion access and environmental protection.

I hope you will be an active participant in our democracy by voting today! And, don’t forget that there are plenty of other things to vote for in addition to the presidency, such as Congressional races, state propositions and state elections. Your vote will make a difference in bringing about change our country desperately needs.

Happy Voting!

takepart and GOVOTE!!

I took this photo with my Blackberry while walking through the East Village on Sunday. Unfortunately, Blackberry pics are not top quality, but hopefully you can get a gist of this very cool mural.

I am moved by this mural. I am also someone who used to get shy when discussions turn into heated political debates because sometimes they make me feel dumb and afraid. I am often very overwhelmed and annoyed by all the bullsh*t that surrounds elections. I, over the past few years, have threatened an elaborate and impossible plan to move to Italy to escape the shameful state of US politics and the current economy. But this mural made me happy to be an American right now. It made me feel like a smart, empowered, American. Are there some things that piss me off about the US? Sure. (Like I dunno, the fact that we are still fighting a war. Oh and the fact that Flavor Flav is a bona fide celebrity). But I do love that as an American I have rights, one being the right to help choose the next president and this mural reminds us of that simple and awesome fact : “America, Make the Right Choice. Vote.”

Today feels like a holiday. All morning I have gotten emails and instant messages

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For weeks I’ve scoffed at Sarah Palin supporters who say they like her because she’s “like them.” The obvious rejoinder is, “don’t you want someone who’s BETTER than you to be a heartbeat away from being President?” But this morning the brick hit me on the head, and I realized that I’ll be excited if Obama wins, because by and large, he’s the candidate that’s “most like me.” That’s not why I’m voting for him (I hope). I’m voting for him because I think he has the best judgment, the most discipline, and the superior collection of advisors surrounding him. But those are observations and calculations, not emotions. The emotional part of my support for Obama comes from identifying with his education, his way of talking, his way of carrying himself, etc. It is hubris, to be sure, for me to say Obama is “like me,” but I can certainly aspire, just as certain hockey moms may aspire to combine Sarah Palin’s energy, good looks, and love of high school hockey.

So I no longer scoff at that particular tendency, and I simply content myself with my conviction that Obama/Biden will make a far better administration than McCain/Palin. And I hope that behind certain people’s desire to have a beer or shoot a moose with Palin, there is at least a belief (however misguided, in my opinion) that she could make a capable…sorry, I can’t even finish the sentence.

But whatever your emotions, whatever your convictions, now is the time to do your last minute homework, and get out and vote.

Cast your vote for President. It’s the most momentous presidential election in decades.

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It’s election eve and I can’t help but feel the same way I did on Christmas Eve as a child - I’m excited, nervous and eagerly anticipating what tomorrow could bring.

It is in that spirit that I post this video.

It will be hard to sleep tonight for sure. I just hope I don’t get coal in my stocking tomorrow…

But for now, please please please takepart and find out where you vote and VOTE!

Matthew Broderick is telling us to follow in Ferris’ footsteps and take election day off to volunteer.  “Life goes by pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

And you don’t want to miss out on tomorrow’s historic election.

takepart with BarackObama.com/dayoff

The fabulous Carol Hartsell, founder of the popular New York based comedy show/site Drink at Work made this lovely video as a voter plea to her fellow Southerners.

Need more info on voting or where to find your polling place?. takepart and visit http://www.vote411.org/home.php

Meaningful Media’s October newsletter included a terrific piece about where the candidates stand on the arts. ArtsVote2008.ort published a report of how each candidate stands on the media.

Not only does Obama come out on top, he has an entire platform in support of Arts and Arts Education. And in all fairness, John McCain released this statement in arts education.

Thanks to Sarah Ingersol of Meaningful Media for sending this to me. For those of you who aren’t yet familiar, Meaningful Media is a new nonprofit network committed to increasing the quality, visibility, and impact of social issue media.

takepart with Meaningful Media

(Hat tip to Gabe for sending this!)

takepart and GO VOTE next TUESDAY!’

Related:

From Time.com: You Can Vote However You Like

The Ron Clark Academy