Happy US election day!!

OurWildKingdom

FW voted last week, and good thing too, because she's been in sick bay with a bad cold the last two days. I'm voting after work.

Despite being sober for three years, a part of my brain is tempted to pick up some cheap wine in case Trump wins.

mrsconn23

I voted at lunch.  I walked in and out in less than 10 min.  

short+sassy

drglitter said:

I voted at lunch.

H, who is a life long hard core Republican, who ran and was elected to his small town public office as a Republican, whose Trump propaganda mail I have been illegally tossing out before he sees it for months, turned to me the other day and said "I think I'm going to have to vote for Johnson".

I was so happy I didn't even try to talk him in to voting for Hilary.

Then that's a win!  Any vote for "not Trump" puts him that much further away from a possible victory.

And that is what Republicans have been worried about with Trump as their candidate.  He splinters their party.  I suppose there might be Dems who choose to vote for Johnson (or someone else) rather than Clinton, but not in nearly the same numbers.

I'm surprised to say I really like Johnson.  I've usually thought of the Libertarian party as monsters, but didn't know much about them.  I caught Johnson in an interview and really liked him, so I educated myself a little better.  I agree with a lot of their policies, though strongly disagree with some of their core tenets.

If Hillary was running against someone else, I'd probably vote for Johnson also.  But the stakes are too high this time around and I need the non-existent strength of my one vote to best help defeat Trump.

On another board I'm on, one of the posters is super, super, hard core Republican/Christian Right.  Hates the Dem party.  Hates the Clintons.  Even SHE is voting for a 3rd party candidate instead of Trump. 

kimmiinthemitten

TrixieJess said:

This sucks for you guys. In Canada our Election Act guarantees us an hour paid to vote. Most people take off early or come in late. 

Psssh, didn't you know? In America it's a job killer to require employees be paid for anything outside of their 40 hour work week.  

Vacation time?  We don't need it!  
Maternity leave?  We don't need it!  
Time off to vote?  We don't need it!

TrixieJess

kimmiinthemitten said:

TrixieJess said:

This sucks for you guys. In Canada our Election Act guarantees us an hour paid to vote. Most people take off early or come in late. 

Psssh, didn't you know? In America it's a job killer to require employees be paid for anything outside of their 40 hour work week.  

Vacation time?  We don't need it!  
Maternity leave?  We don't need it!  
Time off to vote?  We don't need it!

I'll stop with the Canadianess. Silly us and our socialism. 

cowgirl8238

lyndausvi said:

I  dropped off our ballots last week.   Can't wait till this shit show is over.


My niece is an OOS freshman at Alabama.  She was able to register there to vote.   Which I was very surprised.  I figured she would do an absentee ballot from from PA.   Wonder what keeps them from voting in both states?

I moved from NY to PA about 6 years ago and registered to vote in PA shortly after moving...my mom stills lives in the same house that I was last registered under and she said my name was in the book at the polling place (well my maiden name technically).  She then laughed and said they didn't even check IDs and that she was going to go back in later and vote again using my name.  I'm not sure what is worse, the fact the two states can't figure out how to communicate these things or that she wants to vote again for Trump!

Knottie8ad0fe8a79b5aa0b

So it's me, Valentyna/Sandi. I got some generic profile name when I signed up again. I couldn't remember my long-ago sign-in. We sent in mail-in ballots last week and the website said they're counted. I'll be watching tonight. Hopefully it's an early night for us.

VarunaTT

short+sassy said:

I also can't help but comment a bit on the gender thing.  No one should vote for someone just because of their gender.  With that said, no matter one's party or who they are voting for, I think we should all celebrate that a woman is FINALLY a contender as a POTUS.

But let's not break our arms patting ourselves on the back.  Many countries beat us to it.  Some of them, DECADES ago.  Considering all the powerful female politicians and business leaders over our history, it's appalling it has taken this long.

This might be a UO, but for all of the USA's spouting off about freedom and equality, the reality is a different story for many (gender, race, religion, financial status, etc.).

Very honestly, I don't know of anyone who has used gender as a single voting issue the way abortion is a single voting issue.  And I'm around a lot of liberals who fought hard for Sanders and some moderate Republicans who fought really hard against Trump.

Now, there are lots of people are saying, "I would've voted for the Dem candidate for [fill in reasons] and I'm MORE proud to do so because it's for a woman."  And in the Pantsuit Nation, there have been moderate Republican and 3rd party voter testimonials about switching to Clinton (which I have mixed feelings on, b/c Clinton isn't nearly progressive enough for me, though I"m more pragmatic in practice) because of her qualifications and work, or against Trump...not b/c she's female.  There is a needed conversation around the institutionalized misogyny of female leaders.

Yes, there are 22? countries that have beaten us to this punch.  They are also usually parliamentary systems (I think it's something like only 2-3 other female presidencies) and most of them also came from political "dynasties" or families.  (I put that in quotes b/c the Clintons aren't a political dynasty until future generations start in on the game like the Kennedys and the Bushes).  So, it is still a big deal, no matter the US's failure in the realm of equality (which I fully agree on).  It's rare to have 1. a female president and 2. a female candidate that doesn't have a male connection into powerful political circles.  Vox did a series of very interesting examinations of these issues, if you want to look them up.

It is important to also note that we've had other female presidential candidates.  But this time, to change you statement a bit, it's that we finally have a female candidate who's a CONTENDER.  She has a shot, it's not just a political statement.

cowgirl8238

I voted this morning with DH before work (got in line at 6:50 opens at 7).  Our polling place is a small church and people were out the doors around the building and back again.  I was about 150 in line and easily 300 showed up by 8AM.  People were parking on lawns, along the streets and everywhere...it was INSANE to see so many people trying to get into the place.  Thankfully everyone on line was polite and no real issues.  No petitions, no signs for one candidate or another, and no fights broke out.  It made me happy to see so many people turn out.

I was sad to see that so few choices were on the ballot outside of the presidential race though.  Almost all of the other offices were Democrat or Republican...I think the Treasurer had a Libertarian on the list.  I just hope everyone takes down all their signs now.

On an unrelated note my favorite donut shop posted a huge billboard sized sign in support of Trump last week.  My DH and I looked at each other and sighed.  He goes "Guess we're not coming here anymore."  I'm not sure if ignorance is better but does anyone else just hate it when a business you like gets all religious/political?  Even if their views align with mine it just seems kinda strange.

short+sassy

kimmiinthemitten said:

TrixieJess said:

This sucks for you guys. In Canada our Election Act guarantees us an hour paid to vote. Most people take off early or come in late. 

Psssh, didn't you know? In America it's a job killer to require employees be paid for anything outside of their 40 hour work week.  

Vacation time?  We don't need it!  
Maternity leave?  We don't need it!  
Time off to vote?  We don't need it!

You forgot:

Liveable wage?  We don't need it!

At my last job, I worked with a lot of Europeans.  At my current job, I work with a lot of Indonesians and Australians.

I want to throw my stapler at the wall in sad frustration at my pathetic vacation time, every time I got/get a Microsoft Outlook auto-reply that is "Foreign Coworker will be out from (insert an ENTIRE MONTH) for a brief holiday".  Brief?!?  BRIEF?!?  Killin' me. 

kimmiinthemitten

I am going to disagree re:  voting for a gender vs voting for other reasons.  Given the way women are treated in this country, the lack of representation we have hurts us, pragmatically, legislatively  and in our own homes.  Granted, I voted for Hillary (feels good to type that out past tense) for a plethora of reasons, and she was second choice two primaries in a row for a plethora of reasons.  However, this was my FB status today:

My sister loaned me our grandmothers broach to wear on my wedding day, but I decided it deserves to come out early. Today, I am a one issue voter and I want her with me as I vote for our first female president. #imwithher because a man has never been asked to justify his vote based on gender. I'm with her because third world nations have broken their glass ceiling before the greatest nation in the world has. I'm with her for FI's HS student whose family has taught her that women shouldn't seek or hold leadership positions. Because someone's spouse shouldn't lose his job over his wifes last name. I'm with her because the answer to sexual harassment at work isn't to quit, because one in four women serving in our armed forces are victims of assault, because a guilty sentence for rape lands you in jail for as little time as possession of marijuana. Because women have been allowed to vote for less than 100 years, allowed credit for less than 40 and have had full body autonomy for only eight years longer than I've been alive.
You can disagree, disapprove and say whatever you want about my opinion. But you will never take away my vote.

If a woman voted for Hillary today because being a woman means they share some things in common, that's fine by me.  Men have been doing that shit for years.

charlotte989875

kimmiinthemitten said:

I am going to disagree re:  voting for a gender vs voting for other reasons.  Given the way women are treated in this country, the lack of representation we have hurts us, pragmatically, legislatively  and in our own homes.  Granted, I voted for Hillary (feels good to type that out past tense) for a plethora of reasons, and she was second choice two primaries in a row for a plethora of reasons.  However, this was my FB status today:

My sister loaned me our grandmothers broach to wear on my wedding day, but I decided it deserves to come out early. Today, I am a one issue voter and I want her with me as I vote for our first female president. #imwithher because a man has never been asked to justify his vote based on gender. I'm with her because third world nations have broken their glass ceiling before the greatest nation in the world has. I'm with her for FI's HS student whose family has taught her that women shouldn't seek or hold leadership positions. Because someone's spouse shouldn't lose his job over his wifes last name. I'm with her because the answer to sexual harassment at work isn't to quit, because one in four women serving in our armed forces are victims of assault, because a guilty sentence for rape lands you in jail for as little time as possession of marijuana. Because women have been allowed to vote for less than 100 years, allowed credit for less than 40 and have had full body autonomy for only eight years longer than I've been alive.
You can disagree, disapprove and say whatever you want about my opinion. But you will never take away my vote.

If a woman voted for Hillary today because being a woman means they share some things in common, that's fine by me.  Men have been doing that shit for years.

All of this for me too today. 59 other countries have had a female in the highest executive office. You can't convince me that they all have far more qualified women than we have in America. The lack of women in power isn't because they're not qualified. 

Men in power haven't protected my right to decide what is best for my body, haven't protected women on our college campuses from sexual assault, pushed for real pay equality in this country, or pushed for paid maternity leave. Let's let a woman try for once. 

*Barbie*

Knottie8ad0fe8a79b5aa0b said:

So it's me, Valentyna/Sandi. I got some generic profile name when I signed up again. I couldn't remember my long-ago sign-in. We sent in mail-in ballots last week and the website said they're counted. I'll be watching tonight. Hopefully it's an early night for us.

Hey, Val, welcome back!

LadyCatherineDB

TrixieJess said:

charlotte989875 said:

DrillSergeantCat said:

Employees can take time off to vote in any election for which the employee is qualified and registered to vote, unless the employee's work hours commence at least two hours after the polls open or end at least one hour before the polls close. The employer may determine what hours are available for the employee to vote. - voting law

I'm just ready for the ugliness to end. I don't really care who is president because there are drawbacks to both IMO. I can't vote this year because I don't have an ID that matches my voter registration. I'll get that changed so I can vote for congressional elections in 2 years.

I pissed off a co-worker as soon as he walked in the door. I do all the HR paperwork for our branch and he dropped off his open enrollment packet yesterday and I didn't notice that he requested to add his wife to our plan. I got notice from corporate this morning that we'd need a spousal affidavit. As soon as he walked in the door, I had to tell him that we can't cover his wife because she has health insurance available to her at her place of employment but if that changes we can add her as that's a qualifying life event. This was all in the enrollment packet so I don't feel too bad and I literally just remembered that he warned me he was going to be in a bad mood today anyway because it's the anniversary of his father's death.

I have a lot of work to do today so hopefully the day will fly by. 

Not to get all political science-y here, but varies significantly by the state.

Many don't have protections for workers to take time off of work. CT, D.C., DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, ME, MI, MS, MT, NJ, NC, OR, PA, SC, RI, VT, and VA all do not have laws requiring employers to give workers time off to vote. 

This sucks for you guys. In Canada our Election Act guarantees us an hour paid to vote. Most people take off early or come in late. 

What about when it takes more than an hour to vote?

LadyCatherineDB

lyndausvi said:

I  dropped off our ballots last week.   Can't wait till this shit show is over.


My niece is an OOS freshman at Alabama.  She was able to register there to vote.   Which I was very surprised.  I figured she would do an absentee ballot from from PA.   Wonder what keeps them from voting in both states?

I voted in the state where I went to college rather than the one in which I grew up. It took my home state several years to update my voter registration information. I received a letter stating something like, "We understand you have moved out of state. We will be taking you off of our voter registration list. If this is not correct, contact us."

DrillSergeantCat

I'm going to go try to vote after work. I've got my marriage certificate so hopefully that will work. We'll see. 

MesmrEwe

Voted this afternoon... Everyone walking out had that "Fresh from the Gynecologist" look about them...  

In this state one thing the third party candidates have going for them is it's not a toss-up state, so the goal is to get to 5% to gain access to the Debates and funding which will help them in future election cycles...

DrillSergeantCat

They wouldn't let me use my drivers license and marriage license to vote but they let me use my concealed carry license. So I voted y'all!

CMGragain

Yay!  It's almost over!  Now we can hear some news that doesn't involve Hillary and Donald.  Thank you, Jesus!

SaintPaulGal

I'm scared you guys. 

cowgirl8238

SaintPaulGal said:

I'm scared you guys. 

Me too!

TrixieJess

LadyCatherineDB said:

TrixieJess said:

charlotte989875 said:

DrillSergeantCat said:

Employees can take time off to vote in any election for which the employee is qualified and registered to vote, unless the employee's work hours commence at least two hours after the polls open or end at least one hour before the polls close. The employer may determine what hours are available for the employee to vote. - voting law

I'm just ready for the ugliness to end. I don't really care who is president because there are drawbacks to both IMO. I can't vote this year because I don't have an ID that matches my voter registration. I'll get that changed so I can vote for congressional elections in 2 years.

I pissed off a co-worker as soon as he walked in the door. I do all the HR paperwork for our branch and he dropped off his open enrollment packet yesterday and I didn't notice that he requested to add his wife to our plan. I got notice from corporate this morning that we'd need a spousal affidavit. As soon as he walked in the door, I had to tell him that we can't cover his wife because she has health insurance available to her at her place of employment but if that changes we can add her as that's a qualifying life event. This was all in the enrollment packet so I don't feel too bad and I literally just remembered that he warned me he was going to be in a bad mood today anyway because it's the anniversary of his father's death.

I have a lot of work to do today so hopefully the day will fly by. 

Not to get all political science-y here, but varies significantly by the state.

Many don't have protections for workers to take time off of work. CT, D.C., DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, ME, MI, MS, MT, NJ, NC, OR, PA, SC, RI, VT, and VA all do not have laws requiring employers to give workers time off to vote. 

This sucks for you guys. In Canada our Election Act guarantees us an hour paid to vote. Most people take off early or come in late. 

What about when it takes more than an hour to vote?

It doesn't here. You present your voter card, or ID they check you off a list, you get your ballot and vote. The longest I've ever had to wait was when I was voting outside my constituency and they had to get a ballot for me, I waited a half hour.

kimmiinthemitten

I woke up full of hope. I went to bed after FI and made contingency plans to move my mom in after Social Security Disability Insurance is broke. 

charlotte989875

I've started, and deleted, like 4 posts now. It's a sad day for America. 

levioosa

I am heartbroken.  This was pure hate and misogyny.  There's no other way to explain it.

CMGragain

Look, ladies, this is the United States of America.  We have been having elections  since 1789.  Sometimes the elected candidate has been historically great.  Sometimes he has been dishonest, corrupt, and incompetent.  The country has survived.  We have seen many changes over the centuries, mostly for the better.
This is not Iran.  We do not have riots in the streets when one party wins over another.  Everybody just calms down and gets down to the business of being American citizens.
This is not Czarist Russia.  Our president does not have unlimited power.  Mr. Trump was elected in one of the closest elections ever in the history of this country.  He knows this.  He is very well aware of how many people dislike him.  He is going to need to be very careful, and very competent.
I, personally did not vote for Mr. Trump.  I am not happy with the election results, but it is how our country works.  Since Mr. Trump has won the election, we should all pray that he has the strength and good sense to serve as President of the United States for the next four years.  God Bless America.

PS.  Google Theodore Roosevelt and see how many parallels there are!  Nobody thought he would ever be President, either!

kimmiinthemitten

@cmgraigan I also thought we weren't pre civil rights America, Nazi Germany or South Africa or insert other nations that segregate based on race. But two days ago in East Lansing, a man was arrested for trying to stop two women in hijabs from voting.

Yesterday, in Royal Oak, a Latino middle schooler was surrounded by white students chanting "build that wall."  A Dr in Michigan was told by a patient that he "can't wait until he's deported."  A woman wearing a hijab was almost pushed onto train tracks. A black woman was told to get to the back of a bus. A group of college males was chanting "grab 'er by the pussy."  

We can debate politics, and what he will actually be like as President.  We can hunker down and figure out what we all missed that he zoned in on and how we can react with policies that answer to these fears.  But the damage has been done and the alt-right has been empowered and is celebrating. 

charlotte989875

Yesterday in a small town near where my H and I have a cabin swastikas and "make Anerica white again" painted on dugouts in the town park. In a college campus in Buffalo (where my cousin is a student and many friends are almumbi) there was a black doll hanging from a noose in the elevator. And a friend of mine was forced out of a Lyft for being gay. 

We we don't accept these things anymore, so I don't buy that because this monster sounds like a politician from 100 years ago hat everything will be fine. Everything is not fine. 

Heffalump

CMGragain said:

Look, ladies, this is the United States of America.  We have been having elections  since 1789.  Sometimes the elected candidate has been historically great.  Sometimes he has been dishonest, corrupt, and incompetent.  The country has survived.  We have seen many changes over the centuries, mostly for the better.
This is not Iran.  We do not have riots in the streets when one party wins over another.  Everybody just calms down and gets down to the business of being American citizens.
This is not Czarist Russia.  Our president does not have unlimited power.  Mr. Trump was elected in one of the closest elections ever in the history of this country.  He knows this.  He is very well aware of how many people dislike him.  He is going to need to be very careful, and very competent.
I, personally did not vote for Mr. Trump.  I am not happy with the election results, but it is how our country works.  Since Mr. Trump has won the election, we should all pray that he has the strength and good sense to serve as President of the United States for the next four years.  God Bless America.

PS.  Google Theodore Roosevelt and see how many parallels there are!  Nobody thought he would ever be President, either!

Oh, good.  Someone has shown up to instruct us on "how our country works."

I find this post to be incredibly condescending, between the "ladies" and "we do" this and "we should" that. 

People are allowed to express their opinions here without having to endure being patronized and mansplained to.  (Is there a word for mansplaining when it comes from a woman but sounds just like mansplaining?  Or do condescending and patronizing have it covered?)

short+sassy

I agree with @CMGragain, as far as praying/hoping for the best and that this country will survive, no matter what gets thrown at us.  Praying/hoping that Trump, despite being a deplorable person, can be a great leader.  Though definitely not holding my breath on that last one.

At the same time, people are allowed to protest.  People SHOULD protest, if they choose to.  However, breaking the law...whether through vandalism, destruction or property, and/or physical fighting...is not okay and actually just detracts from the message.

And back to him being a deplorable person.  It is all the more important that if he won't protect the rights gays/women/minorities/Muslims/poor/everyone, then we need to stand up and make sure he and our other leaders DO.