When, as teenagers, my great grandparents crossed the ocean to America, they ended up settling in Chicago. My grandmother was born in The City of the Big Shoulders. The Windy City is know for many things (beyond Mr. Sandburg’s memorable list) including the reminder to “vote early, vote often”.
I learned many things from my Nana, like how to enjoy grapefruit juice with breakfast, how to feed the wild birds in the back yard, how to hang laundry on the line, and how to spread coffee grounds around the rose bushes. She never mentioned the “Chicago method”.
I first voted in 1972 and haven’t missed the opportunity to exercise that right in the past 45+ years. Owing to our travels, a few years ago we made arrangements to vote by absentee ballot, posted before the actual Election Day. When we have been out of the country we check the election returns on the internet or BBC. There have been a few surprises.
A couple years ago we were at sea during the election. A few of our shipmates who hail from other lands politely engaged us in conversation in the days leading up to the vote. “You don’t think it could really happen, do you?”
The morning after the vote their questions were more “concerned” in nature. “Seriously? What now?” We tried to reassure them (and ourselves) that, perhaps, the rude, rambling, ill mannered, rabble-rousing, lying braggart was just a persona used to get attention and votes from folks who didn’t trust professional office holders. Surely he realizes the gravity of the office and of international diplomacy and he’ll rise to the responsibility? Certainly he’ll do his best to unite our people and citizens of other democracies so we can address important issues at home and abroad?
Wrong.
A couple months ago I decided that I needed to begin a mental diet. For my own good I needed to reduce my intake of irritation. I began by ‘unfriending’ and ‘unfollowing’ lots of groups on Facebook. It helped, but it wasn’t enough. So I just quit FB altogether. That helped more.
I began getting emails, messages, and phone calls from friends asking if I was alright. Yes, thanks. Just on a diet. “We miss you on FB.” Sorry. But I haven’t got time for the pain.
Last week I exchanged a couple emails with an old internet friend. We’ve know each other for nearly 20 years – from way back when AOL was a thing. She emigrated to Israel months ago and is settling in nicely. And wanted to know about my disappearance from FB, so I explained it to her. This is part of her response:
“And yeah, I am mentally better without reading about politics, though it’s almost impossible to avoid the things he says. I have to admit no longer living in the US helps. I love Israel, and it’s truly f’ed up that being in the middle of a constant war zone is less stressful than what’s happening to the US. It will take a long time to rebound.
I have more of a social life here than I’d had in Georgia for the last 15 years. Of course, being in Haifa helps— the city prides itself on peaceful coexistence among Arab Muslims and Christians, Russians, Ba’hai, Jews, whatever. It is far from perfect, but at least this town acknowledges that people should get along.”
Makes sense to me.
I’m hoping that this election cycle will result in an increase of leaders who understand and demonstrate respect, civility, virtue, honor, and inclusiveness. So I voted early. But not often.
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If you enjoyed “Fringe”, you’ll understand.
B & B 