Not just a typing lesson

[liberalpress]

Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their party.

Here's the deal... a loaded voting machine is akin to a point-shaving scandal in sports. It can produce a little bit of an edge. Make it too obvious and people notice right away something is wrong. Nope, the problem with the elections of 2000 and 2004 is us -- not enough of us voted.

I know we Democrats have our ideological differences and that's cool. We are a diverse party, and unlike they-who-shall-not be named, we welcome and give voice to our diversity. In primary season we rage, shout, and beat the crap out of each other to get our philosophies and candidates the exposure they deserve. Great. Keep it up, and the last man or woman left standing gets the nomination. That's how it works.

But after primary season is over, our strength becomes our weakness, while for the other side the vice is very versa. Their exclusiveness, myopia, and blind party loyalty will cause them to vote for any monkey in a suit that gets the nomination (the winner of the last two presidential elections should illustrate the analogy quite nicely).

We, on the other hand, tend to hold onto our grudges and our philosophies, and rather than go against our own personal interests will withhold our vote, refusing to push the button, pull the lever, or make the "x" next to the name of a candidate from our own party.

I guess what I'm saying is this: Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their party. My Mother used to type a slightly more sexist version of that to hone her typing skills. Next November, whoever our nominee is, I pledge to give him and her my vote. Will you? I'm not asking you to like, agree with, campaign for, raise funds on behalf of, or even speak the name of that candidate out loud. Just pull the lever, punch the button, make the mark. Then go right on screaming until he or she comes around to your point of view.

If you don't vote you may wake up November 5, 2008 to find that the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy, sleeping dog. Don't say I didn't warn you.