That Special Time of Year: Elections!
It is that special time of year. The leaves are falling. Holiday sales are right around the corner. The tri-fecta of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years means that very soon, pretty much every weekend will be a 3 or four day weekend. It is safe again to wear that “orange” sweater you love so much. You have a free-pass to eat whatever you want for a month or so. It’s also that happy time known as Election Time!
Tomorrow, I will get out there to vote. I am admittedly ignorant when it comes to most political matters. I don’t research opinions on the different initiatives or candidates. I don’t stay up all night watching CPAN or read The Stranger for the latest inside scoop. I don’t really do my homework like a good voter. I just vote for what seems logical.
For example, in Washington State, there is an initiative that proposes to cut the Estate Tax for the super-rich (couples with an estate over $4M). We’re talking about the wealthiest .5% in the entire state. What’s at stake? About $200 million in tax revenues over the next two years, all dedicated to public education. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out which way to vote on this measure.
I know politics are anything but logical…so I am sure all my votes will be “wrong.” I was never really good at multiple choice exams anyway. However, the geek in me just has to see what all the fuss is over these new electronic voting machines .
I am no expert on the matter, but last time I checked a computer is better at doing math than pretty much anyone else. They can add pretty quick. No hanging chads. I also think that anyone brilliant enough to hack their way into the voting system is smarter than 99.999% of the population, and in a much better position to actually choose the “right” candidates. I think we’re safe.
[...] I feel like a real American. I voted this morning. The polling station had about 20 paper-ballot booths, and a single electronic voting station that everyone seemed to ignore. Of course, a big reason for my not casting and absentee ballot was to see what the big hubbub was with these machines. [...]
Electronic Voting Doohicky | Set Higher Standards
November 7, 2006 at 10:21 pm
[...] I feel like a real American. I voted this morning. The polling station had about 20 paper-ballot booths, and a single electronic voting station that everyone seemed to ignore. Of course, a big reason for my not casting and absentee ballot was to see what the big hubbub was with these machines. [...]
Electonic Voting Doohicky | Set Higher Standards
November 7, 2006 at 10:19 pm