On November 7, millions of Americans went to the polls, and we are grateful for those who supported the slate of candidates running on the LUV Party ticket. Unlike those other politicians, we hope you voted, and will vote often, for Southwest Airlines.
Brian,
I agree with the sentiment of "let's get out the vote", as one of your regular bloggers is back after being away for the last day. In addition to enjoying the electronic banter in my spare time, I've also served as a precinct chairman and Election Judge for almost twenty years.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of running my polling place, where we had one of the best turnouts of any "off-year" November election as I can recall in a long time. Amidst folks who complain that the polls are not open long enough (I had someone show up at 7:45 pm last night), that the correct polling place is too hard to find ("...this is the fifth place I've tried to vote...") and confusion over the ballot ("...why can't I cross out the oval I've already bubbled in and just bubble in the other one instead?"), I was inspired by one particular voter.
A regular attendee at my polling place arrived around 10:30 as usual, dressed in a nice outfit and talking about how beautiful the day was and how much she was enjoying the gorgeous weather. She drove her motorized wheelchair right into the room and waited in line with others to check in. This woman did not ask for any special consideration because of her handicap, but as usual, I offered her the option to fill out her ballot at a small table that was a more appropriate height for her than our voting booths. With assistance from an election clerk now that she can barely hold a marking pen, my voter completed her ballot and thanked us workers cheerfully for being there all day long.
After she left, though, I saw her driving around the parking lot and went out to see if she needed any help. It turns out that she was patiently waiting for the scheduled return of the handi-ride van from our local mass transit agency. When I asked if it would be back soon, she told me it would return for her at 12:40. She smiled and told me that it was fun to drive back and forth in the parking lot to enjoy the sunshine and the slight breeze in her face.
For this intrepid lady, voting had to have been at least a four-hour experience from when she left home till she got back. Listening to the folks who moaned and groaned about a five-minute drive from their house and comparing it to the attitude of the woman in the parking lot reminded me why we sit there for fourteen hours on Election Day and why this country is great.
It is an honor to help facilitate the privilege that so many people take for granted. Thank you to ALL of you who made the effort to vote yesterday, especially the resident of "my" precinct with the smile on her face!
Kim 🙂
Joe,
I've watched and re-watched the video, and I don't see Brian in the "audience", unless he was one of those out-of-focus blurs in the background that was dozing off during the story...
Kim
Dear, umm, "heidi",
Good try, but you don't fool me. I know WHO you are, and WHERE you are, and unfortunately, Southwest doesn't fly THERE, or I'd already been for a visit. Besides, the real "heidi" would never say "y'all". Nevertheless, even though I wasn't hired to write for the blog (as several others have questioned), it IS a real joy to do so, although not as big a joy as having been related to you for fifty years!
Glad you liked the praline,
LUV back to ya,
Your little brudder 🙂
Kim,
I never sleep on the job, and especially when the big bosses are around. Unfortunately, I wasn't asked to participate in the video. If I had, I would have been shopping my audition tapes in Hollywood the next day.
Brian
