Vote Early ~ Vote Often

Trudy & I arrived at our assigned polling location to fulfill one of the major responsibilities bestowed up on us as Americans... to Vote. While I could go into a long discourse on the reasons every citizen should go and vote in EVERY election, I won't. What I will do is give the Election Boards across the nation some ideas on how to run a better polling location.

The major problem in every election I have voted in to date are the long lines. If they would take a look at many fast food locations they would find the solution to this. The 'cattle shoot' line divider would do the trick. You know, the ones with the retractable nylon dividers. It would resove the many having to stand in the rain waiting to cast a vote.

While we stood over an hour in line to cast a vote it would have been nice to recieve a snack and/or a drink. I know many of you are like, What about the mess? Who will serve it? Well, I would think that when you enter, maybe, they could have a cooler of beverages and a dispenser for snacks. Then a couple of trash receptacles would do the trick for clean-up. They should also consider a flyer of the issues and candidates to hand out informing us of things like the left wing veiws of the dog catcher we are voting for. To spade or nueter... to de-claw or not de-claw, those types of things.

Door prizes would be another draw to the polls and I would think that the Presidential election would have the best door prizes. Come and vote go home with a toaster oven or a new computer. Think of the corporate deals and sponsorships that could be garnered. This election is brought to you by Coke.

Mascots could be another way to alleviate the wait. A big headed Uncle Sam could greet you give you your snacks, drink, and raffle ticket. Pose for pictures with the voters and sundry kids waiting for thier parents to vote. The mascot could also do balloon figures, some card tricks or my personal choice saw the local politician in half. (No real need to put them back together)

Election Rides might be cool. Think about this, you arrive at the polls and are wisked away to an hour long ride telling the importance of voting in America. You start off watching the Mayflower Compact being voted on - other votes for... independence - the Constitution - rights for blacks to vote - the Sufferage vote. You understand where this is going, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln all admonishing us to vote. It would be a complete ride if at the end all the former Presidents were to pat your butt as you run down the tunnel into a stadium with thousands cheering you onto vote.

I could go on with more bright ideas on making the voting process better in this country. Look at the up side we can vote with out fear of anything except the results. We dont have to worry about being blown up or shot for voting or fear of political retaliation because we voted for the ''wrong'' person. When it is all said and done, inspite of the worst of the political campagning we have a very good system to govern our country and ourselves. Just next time, some one remind me to bring along my latest reading, it could be a long wait.

P.S. check out this site for a fun drinking game: http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~smith60/index.php?itemid=201