It would absolutely be lovely to work together, rather than against one another, but that may be a dream whose time never was. We should certainly try, no matter what! And we’ll need to, considering the mess we’re in.

I don’t know about the Electoral College. It was, of course, a compromise created at the founding of our nation, because we have TWO great principles animating our laws: majority rule AND minority rights. The rule of the majority, we have often seen, leads to disregard for the less numerous (or, in the case of women, genetically disenfranchised). I don’t know if things have changed so much – the less-populous states have constituencies that certainly deserve a voice in choosing (which they really don’t get, if it’s by popular vote alone), but that their voice has become too disproportionate is also a possibility.

I didn’t want to drive to the county seat to vote, so I’m hoping that the lines aren’t too long when the polls open tomorrow! I’m in SW Ohio, but not in Cincinnati, so I don’t think I’m being too unreasonable.

I should visit Margaret and Helen again.

colognegrrl – I was hoping that we would do some real election reform after both the 2000 and 2004 elections. Other than that we elect a president, and the electoral college, everything else about how we do this is built up over the years and subject to change. And in need of change in my opinion.

I’m making a cake for our family that day. On top it’s going to say, “God Bless America” and “God Bless Our President,” and it’s going to be red, white, and blue, and the kids will place the President’s face on top (Xeroxed from the internet and placed on a toothpick). We’ll have both faces, and whoever wins goes on the cake.

I want my kids to feel like we’re all a country together, and we can respect each other’s different beliefs.

Because we all have the right to have them.

Time is running out, but this site (started by a couple college-age friends of my DD) tells how to vote absentee in any state: govoteabsentee.org.

Early voting laws definitely vary by state. In Michigan there are no early voting options, and to vote absentee you have to be 60 years or older or have a valid excuse. Of course you could lie on the form and say you expect to be out of your precinct that day, but it is a misdemeanor to do so.

So, I’ll be at my voting location on Tuesday, standing in line for what will probably be hours. But it will totally be worth it.

The thing is, there’s probably no reason to miss voting if you look into the rules wherever you live. This is going to be an extremely important election and I hope we all vote.

But I love your writing too. The world doesn’t need only the single most bestest writer ever. The world needs many voices, and I like yours. Please keep writing. And when time permits, blogging.

Thanks for sending us to Helen in the interim. Eagerly awaiting the end of BRB intermission.

Florida has early voting for sure because Charlie Crist did the right thing and extended the voting hours, so go, Charlie, even if you are a Republican. Here’s where to find the rest of the states:

http://earlyvoting.net/states/abslaws.php

Don’t think I haven’t been tempted.

http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=mbey0wGJ7sOo7uPg5NA4BDc1MzQ3NzM-&referred_by=12883434-DenuMtx

Hope this will work if you try the link.

Thanks for the wonderful site.

Voting early is not the same thing as absentee ballots. Each state has places to vote early–NOT always at your precinct. In my area, several libraries are the sites for anyone in any area of the county to vote.

Check in your area. The lines have been long here …

And for those of you who don’t speak Southern, “bless your/her/his heart” is the socially acceptable preface that allows you to lambast someone in polite conversation while still sounding sympathetic to them. The subtext is “what a shame he/she/you are an idiot/jackass/heathen/spineless loser who doesn’t know any better, needs a smack upside the head, and are a sad disappointment to your mother.”

“Bless your heart” is just faster to say and sounds nicer.

Needless to say, Margaret & Helen are firmly bookmarked.

Oh, and I voted early, too!

I had forgotten that. I am used to our General Election process, where, if there is a change of government, the furniture removal vans are outside No.10 Downing Street on the very next day…