Super Tuesday
Oye. Tuesday. Oye.
Tomorrow marks the first time I will be able to participate in the Democratic Primary. My absentee ballot has been cast and my vote is my decision. It was one of the tougher choices I’ve had to make in my young voting career but I think I voted with good intention, looking to a successful Presidential election in November and improving our government for the long-haul.
The gender issue can not be ignored. I don’t care how tired you are of hearing about Hilary Clinton and analyzing her campaign through a feminist lens or not—popular media has put their own “wonderful� spin on the Clinton campaign. For example: Diamonds or Pearls of the cut of Senator Clinton’s blouse. However, what hits me most is talking with older women. I do feel a generation gap when discussing this election. I should be proud to vote for Hilary because she is a woman. But do I want that to be my sole reason for voting for her? Of course not. She is definitely more than capable to successfully run our country and I would certainly rather see her in office than anyone from the Republican Party. In talking with my boss, women with NARAL or with women from church I hear the same thing: “I’ve waited so long for this day.� Emotion takes over thinking about how far we have come when a woman can run for the highest elected position we have in this country. I respect that. I get that. But I don’t want my vote based upon that. And it does trouble me. Maybe it’s because I believe that a woman will run again (if she’s not successful this time around). I do recognize the history that would be made if Sen. Clinton was elected and how important this is for our gender on a whole. However, I want my vote to improve this entire country—which includes all of the women, men, and all those in between.
I still won’t reveal who I voted for but I didn’t want to vote simply to elect the first woman President, or the first black President either. Hell, I wanted to vote for Joe Biden, I will admit to that.
The other internal struggle I guess we’ll call it is participating in caucuses tomorrow. While I do have to work, I don’t think I could go. From what I’ve read even though I am not a Minnesota state resident I wouldn’t technically have to be in order to participate. I might be totally off base but everyone is like just go, caucus—you don’t need to be registered, etc. However, I am a New York State resident. I sent out my absentee ballot. What gives me the right to vote twice? Why would I want to manipulate the system to my chosen candidate’s advantage? I do wish I could be there to introduce a resolution to include federally funded comprehensive sexuality based education and family planning services as part of the Democratic platform.
Oye. Tuesday. Oye. And it’s the day of the Student Activities Fair!