Note. This entry has been edited (slightly) since its original posting
It's election day, although many people may be unaware of it. As an off-year election, there are not many big state or national races today. Living in Mpls, we have a mayoral election, a city council seat open, and a park board seat open (and some other smaller races). I was voter #272 in my district.
To find out where to vote or whom to vote for, check out the Star Tribune Politics section which allows you to find your voting precinct and find out a bit more about the candidates.
In my opinion, the most important vote is for the city council seat because Mpls has a relatively weak mayoral system in which the city council holds more legislative and administrative power than the mayor. In addition, the two mayoral candidates are not very different, given their party affiliation is the same (DFL) and their platforms are very similar (better schools, less crime, more police).
Need another reason to vote? How about equating voting with gambling? A few weeks ago, we had a big PowerBall lottery worth nearly $300 million, if I remember correctly. I confess to having bought $4 worth of tickets, winning absolutely nothing like most people. If you love to gamble and to win, then vote. This year is a good time to vote because it is an off-year election (no gubernatorial or presidential election). Not as many people will vote, so you will increase your odds of picking a winning candidate. I know, silly logic, but just trying to find more ways to inspire folks to vote and to make a difference in their local communities.
On an arts-related note about politics, there is a new multimedia play at the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown called Patriot Acts.
What is patriotism? What role with art play in the "war against terrorism"? What role does race, culture, and class play? What is an American? How do we engage in an international dialogue? What does freedom feel like? What does it mean? What Acts of Patriotism can you implement on a day-to-day basis? Canvassing an international array of artists' voices, LP: Patriot Acts uses one on one interviews, video, performance, song, spoken word, storytelling, visual arts, photography, music, and movement. Curators e.g. bailey and Sha Cage, in partnership with some of the most prolific artists from the UK, the USA, and France, challenge, anger, humor, and above all provoke in this revealing work of new theater.
My good friends, Ken and Me-K, have a great video piece in Patriot Acts. I plan to check out the show on Wednesday night. It only plays till Wednesday, so go today or tomorrow!
Posted by richlee at November 8, 2005 10:03 AM