We have lived a very interesting and historical last two months. This is better than any political moments I have lived in 25 years in the USA.
Our daughter has been working after school, on a volunteer basis, for the Obama campaign and has been very involved with, not only the Presidential vote but the different propositions in San Francisco. Now, what’s special about San Francisco? Well for the American people reading that, we are known for being the “leftist” of the USA. It is good that we are on the left side of the map too! But San Francisco is (and has always been) where everything begins: trends start here. May because we think ahead of the rest of the nation: to name a few examples, no transfats in food started in San Francisco, no tobacco in restaurants and offices began in San Francisco.
I have asked Ava what she did during this campaign: “Every day was different, she answered. I mostly called and double checked if people were undecided and tried to convince them to vote for Obama. I tried to encourage earlier voting. I tried to tell them if they had an absentee ballot what to do next. I told them to register. I told them where to find their polling address. I explain to them the rules when voting, for instance you cannot wear a t-shirt saying “I love Obama” that is forbidden by law to approach a polling area with your candidate name on your clothes or as a hat or a sticker on your forehead!!" In one word, she made 40 to 50 calls an hour and depending on the answer, she “undirectly” worked for Obama. If you have followed the news, you all know how thrilling this has been. We got lucky (or unlucky if they win) when McCain picked Sarah Palin. Woahhh the media took advantage of her naivete and let’s be honest, her beauty. Here is a woman with 5 children whose 16-year old daughter is pregnant. I wondered what would have happened if Obama’s had a 16-year old pregnant daughter. In repeating what Tim Wise said “…White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges…” http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/viewCommentary/3618/1
To be honest, she is a woman but as an American woman, I don't think she represents any of my values, my thoughts or my future. So see click to enlarge the photo on the left, I could be holding it!
So tomorrow, we will go to the polling station here in Tiburon to vote for Obama and a few propositions. This is typical American and very interesting. When there is a major election, we gather all kinds of “lois ou referendums ou propositions de lois” Every state, every county has different ones. For instance here is the list for the WHOLE state of California.
1A - California High Speed Rail Bond. S.B. 1856. This is our TGV equivalent. We are voting no.
We figured we will be dead the time it is built. This is not china. Things get built and take for ever. 2 - Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute.
Will only start in 2015!!! And to be honest, treating animals well before they are killed is a joke..3 - Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute.
4 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment.
This is important for parents. YES we should be notified if our teenage girls under 21 will get an abortion. 5 - Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute.
6 - Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute.
7 - Renewable Energy. Statute.
8 - Eliminates the Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
We will vote NO here because, we the Josephs, are for freedom as far as couples are concerned. If a woman falls in love with another woman, it is HER choice, HER life, HER decision. And she has the right to have as many rights as me, Simone (woman) married to Steve (man.) Period.9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute.
11 - Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
12 - Veterans' Bond Act of 2008. S.B. 1572.
Now, New York state has completely different propositions. And so does every other state. It is like if you were in Paris and ask for instance, that your city cleans your streets 3 times a day instead of 2. It is obvious that Nice or Toulouse might not have the same needs. So here, in Tiburon, Marin County, we have the State Propositions (12 of them see above) plus Marin County elections. We received a whole booklet two months ago with introduction of people who are getting elected or re-elected plus our own “problems” to vote for or against. For instance, here is Measure B for Marin County “ Shall the County of Marin establish an appointed director of finance consolidating the offices of auditor, controller, tax collector and treasurer, and create an appointed public administrator, with the provision that an annual independent audit be conducted and that the director of finance can only be removed with a public hearing and 4/5 vote of the Board of Supervisors?” I really don’t know and don’t care but I will vote at the last minute. So imagine, how much time we will be spending in the voting booth!!! I will be voting after work so I can take Ava with me. Ava will be working for Obama all day. She will not attend school. I think she is living history and in a few years, will be able to tell her family and friends that she worked for Barak Obama.
Now Eddy has already voted like most of the young people in colleges. Around the USA, the different colleges have organized their own polling places: this is the first time in the American history that young people are voting in masses. A FIRST! Now someone asked me what is wrong with McCain: well, I (we) are sick of Bush, of the Republicans. We just don't want 4 more years of this life. Bush has turned the whole world against the USA. We are now the most detested people on this planet! And why should I vote for someone who should head to a Senior home? The White House is not for him anymore. He has missed his time, too late. May G-d answers our prayers. We will be devastated if he wins.
Voila. Tomorrow, I hope we will bring you more news, pictures and good results.
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