Button Sunday

I’m sure these buttons surprise no one who knows me. The only thing that might surprise them is how quiet I’ve been about politics this year on my blog. I have many reasons, but none of them have to do with a change of heart or mind or a reluctance to express what I believe. I haven’t done it here; this doesn’t mean my voice has been silenced.

I had a good time getting these buttons a few days ago. I had great conversations with the two women who were working in the Obama store next to the campaign headquarters. In all that was discussed, not one hateful or even unkind thought or opinion was expressed by any of us toward anyone. I appreciated that.

When I spotted the “Old White Women For Obama” button, I cracked up and said, “You have one for me!” One of the women said that they have a hard time keeping this button in stock, because they have plenty of elderly women who come in and say, “Latinos For Obama, Teachers For Obama, Bowlers For Obama, Moms For Obama, LGBT For Obama, African Americans For Obama, Nurses For Obama, Veterans For Obama, –where’s my Obama button?” And they get such a kick out of being shown this one. I know if my mother were alive, she’d wear it with pride.

However you vote, it does matter. You aren’t voting only for a president or even members of congress–you are voting for people, referendums, and amendments at the local and state level that affect your towns and cities, your school districts, your transportation, your environment, your roads, your courts, and the quality of your daily life. Through the centuries, across the world, people have been willing to struggle and even die for the right to vote. I could never take this freedom for granted.