On Election Day, I had the privilege of what is now affectionately called “Electioneering”. “Electioneers” hassle people in order to get them to vote for their particular cause or candidate.
I was paid to be an “Electioneer.” That doesn’t mean that my cause wasn’t just. It doesn’t mean my enthusiasm was fake, just paid for. It was still wrong and needed to be spoken out against. I wouldn’t have done it though, if pay wasn’t involved.
Article Two was my cause, and my foe. It was in support of voluntary annexation. It would allow the County Commission to veto your vote. Hard to explain, but trust me, it was wrong.
I had a four hour shift, during which time I was responsible for converting and/or informing as many voters as possible to the corruption that this amendment proposed.
Due to the fact that the article was so misleadingly stated on the ballot, I didn’t have much of a task on my hands. I had no opposition and won by default.
Gina Robinson, a nurse from Broward county was there “Electioneering,” along with some fellow enthusiasts.
She says that standing outside the polls picketing is her constitutional right, and said “It’s part of the process.” She went on to say, “People think that one person can’t make a difference. Well, if everyone thought that then nobody would vote.”
Gina and her friends really believed in what they were doing. It was a beautiful thing to see people showing their dedication to the issues. Not everyone was out there for unselfish reasons. Doug West, the Democratic candidate for State Representative stationed himself outside of St. Lucy’s Church all day. West said of his day long crusade “I realize that I’m the underdog and I know in my heart that I’m on the right side of the issues, and ultimately, that will make the difference.” He seemed like a really genuine guy.
Meanwhile, the Republican candidate for State Representative was Adam Hasner. Hasner was not outside St. Lucy’s “electioneering” all day. His mother was. She stayed there all night until they closed. Gina said, “She’s a mother, what do you expect?”
I’ll give her credit though, she was out there pounding the pavement from when the polls opened till when they closed, just like her son’s opponent.
At one point in the day, a lady with a “Catholics against Kerry” sign in the back of her car came and parked it in the front row of the church parking lot. Well, one priest of the church didn’t like that. He covered up the back windshield of this lady’s car as soon as he noticed the sign there. He went on to say “I don’t care who people vote for, I just want to keep things fair.”
Similar words came from John Kerry’s mouth on Nov. 3 when he conceded to Bush. It was a sad day for those of us who felt like he was going to make a difference in our country. Maybe it’s for the better, maybe not, but maybe, just maybe George Bush was meant to stay in office.
Just like maybe both Amendment Two and Three were meant to pass. That’s right, despite all the efforts at St.Lucy’s catholic church, and throughout the rest of the county, both of the evil amendments went through.
I felt it was only a partial defeat. On Nov. 2, my cause may have been let down, but I wasn’t. As far as I’m concerned it was a victory for Democracy. I also learned a lot about the issues and those who fight hard to make things right, or go their way.
