It's better to regret something you have done...

So, I used to not vote when I was young. I thought that not participating in the process was the only way to fully protest my belief that our government didn't listen to the pleas of the poor, the unorganized workers, the temporary employees, the anarchists, the atheists, and so on. I argued with many individuals over drinks in bars, argued with my wife and other family members, said my voice would never be heard, to try to stop the politicians from either sides didn't make any difference. I kept saying that until I saw a third party try to make a difference and get shot down. By the time that had happened I had decided to vote for the third party, and all the people who wanted me to just vote now wanted me to vote for someone else.

The problem is as I got older, I thought maybe something might change. I saw that my voice still might not be heard, but some of the elections, on a local level were being won by just a few (hundred) votes. So I could affect something. Why should I let those who vote make my decisions?

This could be one of the most important elections of our lifetime, people say this every time another election comes up. Don't listen to them or me, but go out and vote because to quote the Butthole Surfers, "it's better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't done."

Phone Banking

So, I have been making calls for the last couple of nights for the Approve 67 campaign. Like I said in the previous post I don't want to make my blog into a political statement, but I do support this campaign.

I haven't done any kind of phone calling since 1992 when I did a short stint as a telemarketer for a sort of shady contractor who did remodel and repair work. The manager of the telemarketing job, I think lived in the office and he chewed tobacco, so cups of chew spit were all over the room. The lists we called off of were sort of outdated. More than a few times I spoke with people who's ex or recently deceased spouse was who I asked for. Needless to say it didn't go well. Some cried, some yelled, and some hung up. I didn't get anyone who wanted to have any work done. We got paid by the hour , so I still made money. I only lasted a couple of weeks, if I remember correctly.

I also did half a day for another outfit. I can't even remember what they sold. It was so bad I left at the lunch break and never came back.

I thought that calling for this campaign would be similar, but I was wrong. Most calls have been messages. The people I have talked to have been mostly nice, a few hang ups and only a few people who are against the referendum.

What ever you think about this referendum remember to vote on November 6th in Washington.