Anxious for the election...

[CindyChapman]

There's a lot at stake this year...two important amendment questions, all eight congressional seats plus the President and numerous other important races! It's making me anxious (and not just because I'll have to pull a double or triple shift at work).
How are you feeling?

[sharon]

Terrified. Exhausted. Done being collateral damage. Heart-broken for my child who is struggling mightily. This was our post-bath conversation tonight:


Ian finished his bath and I was helping him dry off and hanging out with him while he got his pajamas on. He suddenly went from talkative and jovial to quiet and serious and I could tell he was thinking something big. I asked what he was thinking about and at first he didn't answer, but a moment later -

Ian: I just don't get why it's happening. It really shouldn't even be discussed.

Though his comments were out of the blue, I thought I knew what "it" was. Still -

Me: What shouldn't be discussed?
Ian: People's marriages and families. I mean, how did we get to have an amendment about it?
Me: Well, some people really wanted an amendment, so they go the legislature to vote on and approve it, and then it goes on the ballot and the voters have to decide.
Ian: It's been SUCH a long time. [since the amendment legislation passed]
Me: Yes, sweetie, I know. It has.
Ian: And I just don't get - I mean, how can they? The US Constitution says "created equal." What does it say again?
Me: It says "All men are created equal."
Ian: And that means everyone. So, how can they have an amendment about some people not being equal? How are they ALLOWED to do that? It goes against the Constitution!
Me: Yes, I agree. It does. But it's not automatic. Things are not automatically declared Unconstitutional, even if they clearly are. People can make an amendment for anything if they can get the votes. And certainly, one day, if it goes to the Supreme Court, it will be declared Unconstitutional. But that could take a very long time.
Ian: [Jaw set, looking very determined] It's going to be defeated.
Me: I really hope so honey. I really do. But we will be OK no matter what. Our family will be OK, even if it does pass. We will.
Ian: Ok....ok....[collapses into a big hug]

This is just breaking me in two. He's being bullied by supposed grown ups and I can't stop it.

And of course "All men are created equal" is the Declaration of Independence and not the Constitution. It's the 14th amendment that he really wanted to quote, though he didn't know it. But I was responding to his pain and not teaching a history lesson. And I'm NOT going to revisit it unless he brings it up again. And he will.

[dara1012]

Oh Sharon. I have tears reading this. Give Ian a big from your MoMs friends who support you.

I am struggling with the marriage amendment and presidential election. If I am struggling with my emotions, I cannot even imagine what it is like for you and Tina, especially when Ian understands so much.

I have voted every year since I turned 18 right before Clinton v. Dole presidential election. I remember feeling really grown up voting for President. I was involved in an urban studies program in Chicago during the 2000 election which was interesting. We had to participate in helping w/ the election as part of our program. I also emerged from the underground subway a few days after the election to find myself in the midst of an election protest, which my friends and I joined for an hour or so. I remember feeling very excited about the potential for the future when voting in the democratic primary 4 1/2 years ago. I was pregnant and hopeful that this election would change some things for the good.

I know enter this presidential election with an anxious hopefulness. I hope we will re-elect President Obama.

But most importantly I am anxious about the marriage amendment. It is so important to me that this measure not pass. I believe in equal rights, but more than that I believe in respect and loving our neighbors. I want my son to grow up in an environment where all love is recognized. I want to live in a state that does not write discrimination into the constitution.

[sharon]

Thanks so much.

[cakemakermom]

Sad and scared. If some people's right get taken away then who'll be next?

It doesn't help we've been watching Star Trek Deep Space 9 and happened upon one episode where they put all the people behind a wall to hide the poverty. This was depicted for the year 2035, so not so far in our future and if politics keeps going the way it's going, that episode may become reality.

[irish]

Oh Sharon, hugs for you, Tina and Ian. I couldn't help but get choked up reading your post. I'm feeling scared and anxious too. Like Cake mentioned, if the marriage amendment passes, what's next? I have faith that Minnesotans will do the right thing. I'm comforted by the fact that I see ten times as many Vote No signs as vote yes signs, but I still get the inkling that ignorance will win
As far as the Presidency goes.....I really hope our President is re-elected! Frankly, I'm terrified of what will happen in the next four years if Romney is elected..

[lilmermaid]

I just want it all to be over!
I'm so sick of all the bashing on both sides that I see on FB. Sick of all the commercials that are flat out lying. Sick of the hatred spread all over the state.

[ReneeW]

I hear ya, ladies. This is a very, very tough election year with strong emotional ties to the issues being determined. I'm a strong "NOvember" voter, and my kids know that. If the amendments pass, it will be hard to talk to them about how sometimes the majority votes differently than me, and how in my heart I wholly believe the majority is wrong etc. UGH. NOT a fun year. I too just want this to be over and done with.

(HUGS) to Sharon and family. Your post got me choked up. Another (HUG) to you and yours.

[CindyChapman]

I can't get into details of my beliefs publically because of my job...BUT -- I cannot remember an election that has me so nervous!
The marriage amendment...especially. My 12 DD and I have long and wonderful talks on the issue -- she is far wiser than I am. I'm constantly surprised at the things her classmates say....of course, those narrow-minded thoughts come right from their parents lips. I just hope the people of Minnesota see thru the lies and understand the issue when they go to the polls...and I hope they seriously think about the deep hurt they'll cause by voting to discriminate against others.

[cakemakermom]

So that you know when to vote:

State general election: November 6, 2012

Most polling places open at 7:00 a.m.; a few polling places in small townships located outside the eleven-county metropolitan area may open as late as 10:00 a.m. All polling places close at 8:00 p.m.

Where do you vote:

pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/

Your vote counts, if you don't vote you can't complain!

[cakemakermom]

I think it's funny that I'm getting "vote no on the voter id amendment" in the ad at the top.