A Little Wicked

I just got back from voting at our local elementary school.

It was slow at the polls. Outside it was just me and the lady with the sample Democratic ticket. I was in no hurry, so I took a moment for mischief.

She offered me the sample ticket and I accepted. I told her that I usually voted for Democrats, but that I was thinking of voting for the Republican today since I didn't want to vote for someone who was probably going to lose.

She just blinked at me.

I continued on, saying that there wasn't much point in voting for the Democrat, since he was way behind in the polls. Better to keep up my personal voting success record and vote for the guy who was going to win.

She continued to stare at me, and I could see the wheels slowly turning in her head as she kick-started her mental gerbil. After a second or two the gerbil got some traction and the woman started to sputter some rhetoric.

"But you should vote for the right candidate. Anything can happen! Look at what happened in the primary!"

I gave her a friendly smile and a "just joshing" hand wave. "I know, I was just kidding."

She couldn't stop; her gerbil was now catching his stride. She kept unnecessarily trying to convince me as I started to walk inside.

"Your vote is important! And McDonnell wants to take us back to the 1950's!"

I tried again to assure her that I had been teasing and that I was on her side, but the damage was done. This woman's earnest conviction left no room for sarcasm or levity. She's probably still half convinced that I was serious.

I feel a tinge of regret knowing that I got her spun up for nothing. I completely respect anyone who cares enough about their country to get politically involved - on either side of the aisle.

Still there are several upsides to our interaction. First, it really was slow and I gave her something to think about while she passes the time. Second, she'll be prepared if some idiot really does come in with that rationale. And third, even if the new governor (whoever he may be) does take us back to the fifties, who doesn't look nice in a pointy bra and poodle skirt?