There was a fellow sitting across the table from me @ May Day a few days ago. His companion had asked where he was from, as he had an odd accent. Their discussion verged into his impending U.S. citizenship.
He is from South Africa, sort of. Born in the UK, he was an English citizen, but promptly left. Growning up and spending most of the first half of his life in South Africa, he never voted. "There was not point." he said. He never bothered to for 2 years back in the UK. He's lived here for 20 years. He can't vote here. In fact,
He's never voted.
Never.
There was a tone of amazement and eagerness in his anticipation of elections in November.
The first time I voted was in 1984. Walter Mondale & Geraldine Ferraro and John Rockefeller were on the ticket. The last time I voted was in April at the nominating convention for the Green party. I wish more American citizens would look at the opportunity to vote with the same awe.
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Exclusion Principle
2 days ago
1 comment:
I don't recall now what I wrote last week when I commented on this post. But I still think it's wonderful that you've had this experience, i.e. meeting someone for whom it IS important to be able to vote. We soooooo take it for granted in this country, and abuse our privilege and right horribly.....
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