No. You are absolutely correct.
It was not worthless to me.
I live in Massachusetts, as blue and corrupt a state as there is. But I put on my American Flag tie that day and got to the voting booth. Even though I know in advance my vote doesn’t mean squat in this state, I do it to make a statement to myself.
I take it seriously. Every single time I vote, I make sure I remember all the sacrifices in blood and money that were made by Americans to give me the right and privilege to do that.
Every time I pull that lever (color in a oval) or whatever, I think of that portion of those 30% of colonials who left their farms and homes, often against the wishes of their families to help the cause.
I think of the other portion of that same 30%, men of substance and power like John Hancock, John Adams and George Washington who left their lives of privilege and comfort to put it all on the line for the idea.
I think of our military personnel, who have done their best to represent America to other parts of the world, whether it be in tsunami relief or finding Al Queda in Iraq who have murdered local police.
I remember that I was not granted the right by divine providence on the part of a king somewhere to do this, I was given the right to freely express myself, vote for a candidate of my choice and live my life largely as I see fit by many men and women over the years.
I agree that John McCain was one of the worst candidates we could have chosen, but I would still vote for him over a Clinton or Obama. McCain was my Commanding Officer for a short period of time in the US Navy, and I respect his service, experiences and sacrifices.
But I also admit I was probably further away from him politically than nearly any other national candidate I have voted for in my life. If I had gone a few steps more further away, I might well have decided to vote for Obama or Clinton, simply because there could not have been much difference.
Thats how far away ideologically I am from McCain. My candidate of choice was Duncan Hunter, but I realistically just don’t think he can get to that level. The media is dying, and like a man with cancer who doesn’t know it, they are wasting away, but it won’t happen fast enough. They unmasked themselves during this last election cycle, and did so without fear or repercussion. They will disappear, and it cannot happen soon enough.
So, no. You were right to call me to task for saying my vote was worthless. It wasn’t to me.
I agree with you.
The GOP is being destroyed by shallow ideologues.