By Dani Frank, Editorial Editor
Forty-four cents and five minutes later, I have voted; I have made my first effort to be a functioning member of society. Hopefully one of many, but let's not push it. This was my first time voting. No, I didn't vote in the Barack Obama and John McCain battle royale. Not for lack of trying, either.
After debating the qualities of both candidates for longer than anyone I know, I couldn't consciously choose one candidate as the victor and thought it best to abstain.
If you haven't stopped reading by now, gasping at the fact that I wouldn't just elect good old Barack Obama, here is where I'm going to lose you. I voted by sending in an absentee ballot to Connecticut, my home state.
The hot race in New York is for governor, with Republican Carl Paladino's homophobic Ebenezer Scrooge squaring off against Democrat Andrew Cuomo's benevolent man of the people. And have you heard of this Jimmy McMillan and his "Rent is 2 Damn High" party?
The closest to a Connecticut equivalent of the fight for governor is that of the senatorial race. Republican Linda McMahon, yes, wife of WWE president Vince McMahon, is facing off in a smackdown against Democrat Richard "Dick" Blumenthal.
McMahon runs cheeky advertisements where two "cool moms" talk about shaking things up in Washington, and respond to the question of "Can Linda do it?" with an overemphatic "Oh yeah!" Blumenthal responds with a commercial boasting a "for the people" message aimed at "fighting for the little guys" and taking down special interests groups.
Neither candidate spoke to me in such a way that I felt compelled to vote. To specify exactly why I voted, it was a mix of guilt from not voting in the last election and a desire not to be one more apathetic young adult.
I've always seen myself as more of a Libertarian: fiscally Republican and ethically Democratic. This holds more weight than you'd think, coming from a family of Republicans living in one of the most Democratic states in the country.
I'm registered as an Independent, however, so that I have complete freedom on Election Day. Hence, is there a Libertarian option available in Connecticut? Yes, but not for senator or attorney general or any political positions of importance. If the election for state registrar is making you grind your teeth this season than good for you, but frankly I couldn't give a shit.
So for someone in my position, it is the classic question of what is of more importance, ethical issues or economic issues? Do I care more about the passage of gay marriage and health care, or is it of more importance for my family not to suffer an increase in taxes?
Call me jaded or call me realistic, but my personal deciding factor will always come down to money. My upbringing has shaped me in this way, and I'm expecting a lot of hate mail for ignoring the greater good of our population. But these are my personal opinions.Also, I would love to avoid two years of my dad's ranting over the dinner table when those "damned Democrats" take over our government yet again.
I voted Republican, for multiple reasons. As a college student taking 18 credits, I don't have the time to draw up a graph comparing every candidate for every political position. McMahon's promises to create jobs and end deficit spending are two decisions I would like to believe in, whether or not they come to fruition. Could I have selected a third party candidate? Again, call me jaded but I don't see that as anything more than a waste of a vote. I would rather make a difference than send a message.
Finally, who doesn't want to have a senator that will take on the Triple H? By that I mean health insurance, homeland security and high taxes. (Yes, I watched wrestling in middle school, don't judge me.)
So in the end, my vote didn't mean anything. Blumenthal is my senator, I'm out 44 cents, and can look forward to an influx of anti-Democratic chain emails in my inbox from my relatives. I'm not disappointed with the outcome, more indifferent. This sequence of events leads me to many questions. What is the better decision, to vote for a candidate that I half agree with, or not to vote at all? Both voters and candidates have to make compromises that they shouldn't have to.
Yes, voting is touted as the only way to make your opinion heard. But what if I don't feel any of the candidates truly represent me? This is a decision I see myself grappling with for my entire existence as a voter.