Proud of My State, and My Country!

Voter turnout was amazing this year! And can I say IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Wisconsin in particular had a great voter turnout rate... the second highest in the country.
As I said, this was probably one of the most important elections of my lifetime. The economy is in the dumps and we're involved in a war with no end in sight. Those were the two biggest issues I was concerned with this election.

I'm still not coming out telling you who I voted for. I'm just going to leave it at the fact that I think politically this is a very interesting time. Our country has elected it's first President that belongs to a minority group. I think that's pretty amazing! I think the whole election process this year as reignited an interest in politics and government that this nation has been sorely lacking. My greatest hope is that this passion (on both sides) doesn't flicker out.

This country was built with Democracy as a foundation. We are able to have our say in the political process and that ROCKS. But because there are multiple parties, that means there will always be one party that comes out on top. Embrace the process. If you're not happy with this year's results, try that much harder to promote your candidate the next go-round!

The Big Day is Finally Here

This may be one of the most important elections of my lifetime. I hope that everyone gets out and votes today. As always, I don't care who you vote for, just so long as you get out there and cast a ballot. I'm amazed by the number of people who have already cast ballots through early/absentee voting. Maybe this time the election won't be decided before all the polls close.

While I'm tired of all the ads, tired of the negative campaigning, and really annoyed by all the campaign phone calls that have clogged our answering machine, I realize how important this election is. I've ranted about voter turnout before. I think there are few excuses for not making it to the polls. In Wisconsin, you can register AT THE POLLS! Remind your friend, family, neighbors, acquantances, everyone to vote! Make sure you allow extra time when you head out there today... the lines will be long. Be patient with the poll workers, cast your vote, and wear your "I Voted" sticker with pride. I know I will.

Let me know that you voted... leave me a comment, and remember, I'm a journalist. Keep those comments non-partisan!

NaBloPoMo & Election Eve

It's also NaBloPoMo eve! Starting tomorrow I will blog everyday for a month. I've basically been doing that already, with a few exceptions. So stay tuned and see if I'm up to the challenge.
You'll probably notice, I tend to post in the evening. That will likely remain unchanged.

And to all you Wisconsinites... tomorrow is the Spring General Election. There are a number of mayoral races, county exec, judges, county supervisor and aldermanic races. Sadly, voter turnout is predicted to be a measley 20%, except in Brookfield. They're predicting 50% in B-town, because they have a school referrendum on the ballot. This general election probably has more of a direct effect on you than the November ballot. So let's shock those people predicting low turnout, and show up in droves! Apathy sucks! If you don't vote, don't complain. Remind your friends, remind your neighbors, remind your spouses. Get out the VOTE!!!!

Voter Turnout is a Joke

35% voter turnout for the primary? Are you kidding me? And we’re excited and proud of this?

We are a nation at war, whether you support it or not. We live in one of the most heavily taxed states (and despite those taxes have really crummy roads, which should be repaired with some of that money). It is a presidential election year. Every able-bodied person who CAN vote SHOULD!!! It’s our civic duty. Our country was founded with the intent of creating a government elected FOR the people BY THE PEOPLE! Hello? Anyone listening? The people that refers to… that’s US!

There are few excuses for not voting.

Can’t get to the polls? I believe there’s a hotline you can call for a ride. Most political parties will drive people to the polls.

No time to vote? The polls in Wisconsin are open from 7AM to 8PM. You make time for what’s important. Or vote absentee.

Don't know where you need to go to vote? Call the election commission in the municipality in which you live. Or call City Hall. They'll point you in the right direction.

Think your vote doesn’t count? In the past few years there have been a number of local contests that have been decided by just a few votes.

Don’t want to drag the kids? I can understand that to a point, but you’re setting an example by taking them with you to vote. One of my most vivid memories is my mom taking my younger brother and I with her to vote at the polling place at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois. I remember how cool it felt to go into the voting booth (which was fitted with red, white, and blue striped curtains), closing the curtains, and watching my mom punch the ballot. I asked her lots of questions. I must have been in grade school at that point. That experience left an impression on me. My siblings and I all were super-excited to be able to vote when we turned 18. I think I’ve missed one election since then… and it was a really small local primary. And I felt bad about it for weeks.

I don’t care which political party or candidate you support. That’s your business not mine. And notice, ever the journalist, I kept my own personal politics out of it! That’s my business, not yours! Voting is a right and a duty that our forefathers and foremothers fought for. You have no right to complain about the government or the state of this country unless you get out there and vote. So remember this as the campaign season continues. When October rolls around, cast your vote absentee if you think you can’t make it to the polls. Call your friends, family, neighbors, whoever and see if they need a ride to the polls. Remind all your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers to vote.

I’m on a mission to get the voter turnout percentage up to a respectable number. I hope you’ll join me.

Center of the Political Universe

Wisconsin is at the center of the political universe today with the primary. Actually, it's been the center for about a week now. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Mike Huckabee have all spent a good deal of time touring the dairy state this past week. I hope they enjoyed the stay. Wisconsin is a pretty great state!

I must admit it feels weird to be out of the media loop this primary. I know I keep saying the same thing over and over. I sound like a broken record. There’s this weird camaraderie in TV news to begin with, or at least there was at my station. That feeling gets more intense on election night.

The group of producers that I worked with had known each other for so long that we developed this shorthand. I knew that Gary liked to break the tension with movie lines (mainly from “Office Space” and “Animal House”) and occasionally with lines from Beatles songs.
I knew that a picture of a Panda or a really cute dog would cheer Erin up… although candy usually worked too. And a good dirty joke always won Rob over. Amy and I relieved stress by cruising the celebrity trash websites for dirt on our favorite stars. Sometimes we needed to toss a Nerf football. Sometimes we needed to take a walk back to the art department.

As random emails from my former co-workers appeared in my inbox throughout the day (Erin left the “election theme music” on my voicemail!!!! hilarious!) I realized I was missing out on that excitement. I don’t miss working till god-knows-when, but I do miss being “in the know.” I miss stalking the wires for the latest returns. I miss coordinating live shots in the control room. Producing the perfect election cut-in, praying there would be results to show. I miss yelling at people in the stress of the moment, and knowing that later things will be okay, because things said under deadline stress don’t count.

I really felt like I was part of the democratic process on election night. It was a pretty cool job, and I'm glad to know that I got to be part of the process for a decade. I'm also glad I've moved on and found a job doing something I feel good about, that I enjoy, and that allows me more time with my family.