Almost 50 years of elections from the perspective of an old woman. (Warning - a rant) [View all]

[Sparkly]

I cast my first vote for Jimmy Carter, and what's likely to be my last for Kamala Harris. Oh, irony.

In-between, I cast every vote I could, in every election, for Democrats. I was always aware of the issues, but not of the "thinking" among the electorate overall.

In 1976, I'd just graduated high school. I was already well aware of feminist issues (early subscriber to Ms. magazine, thanks to an older sister) and had done much research on the women's movement. My liberal parents emphasized education, racial equality, and care for people in need. Carter was a clear choice.

In 1980, it came as a SHOCK to me that Reagan was elected. I'd lived and worked on my own in New York City, and resuming undergrad studies, I saw the debates on my tiny antenna TV. The choice seemed obvious to me! For all the blather about "Eek-oh-nomic growth," Reagan's proposals and priorities made absolutely no sense. How could he have won over Carter? I was absolutely astonished.

In 1984, I was in upstate NY in grad school. Same TV, same thing. What the heck?!? I really LIKED Walter Mondale and everything he stood for, and I was thrilled to support our first woman VP Candidate, Geraldine Ferraro! This was my first chance to see what opponents and/or the media does to women politicians, though. It would repeat for 40 years.

In 1988, I was back in NY City, with a baby. From then on, she went with me to the polls, and pulled levers! People make fun of Michael Dukakis, but I thought he was superb! I liked who he was and what he said. I like his priorities, his goals, and his platform. Compared with George H.W. Bush, who stood on Reagan's tax cuts for the wealthy, enormous deficit spending, and fakery, I was hopeful for Dukakis. Dashed again.

In 1992, Bill Clinton wasn't my first choice in the primaries, but once he broke through, he was definitely my choice in the general election against G.H.W. Bush. Finally! A win!!

In 2000, the election results were ABSURD. The People clearly voted for Al Gore, yet the Supreme Court and the officials in Florida (including W's brother) selected him. He squeaked by on a few electoral college votes in Florida while losing the popular vote to Gore, then put his dad's personnel in place and pushed a radical rightwing agenda.

In 2004, it looked liked GW Bush actually won the popular vote (we all sent "I'm sorry" posts to the world), but that can never be proven. If ever there were an election with machinery chicanery, it was that one. "Statistical anomalies," "irregularities," and "shrug - we just dunno" popped up only in key precincts in key districts in key states. But the machines had no paper trail, so there was nothing to verify against exit polls.

In 2008, I gladly voted for Obama, yet all of a sudden, there was no heavy lift. The opposition was subdued compared with everything before and since. Not to bring up old wounds, but I believe powerful people had much to lose if Hillary Clinton had won the DNC nomination, and there were many reasons to allow our first Black president to take office for 8 years before opposing her again with their true goal. (How scary could they make John McCain and Mitt Romney?!)

In 2016, I believe we saw the "trump card" played out. Hillary Clinton epitomized everything Russian oligarchs and Republicans with an ounce of intellect fear: a superbly qualified woman, well-studied in world affairs, staunchly opposed to Putin, strong in support of the European Union, steadfast on human rights, and courageous enough to stand up to tyrants. This was the election I'd been waiting for all my life, and I shed tears after casting my ballot, and many more upon seeing the results.

Since 2020, we know Joe Biden has been an extraordinary president, surpassing expectations. Kamala Harris was an excellent VP and candidate for president. But here we go again.

It's 2024, and here we go again. It's likely my last go-round, and I'm completely disillusioned. This is not the democracy my parents' and grandparents' generation fought and died for. It's not what I taught my daughter it was important to pull the lever for. It seems like it's just a bunch of suckers falling for the circus show, and we go along with it hoping somehow that the ropes and ladders, elephants and buckets, ribbons and hoops will sustain us in the end.