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 me 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.