Where the Cents Meet

In early October, there were some people who were curious about my two cents on the upcoming election. With November 4 around the bend, I decided to post this entry to the blog. I leave it to you to determine the worth of these pennies that I’ve been jingling in my pocket.

Cent 1.

What’s Your Sign? The perspective of my five-year-old nephew

My sister lives in Austin, a liberal enclave in the conservative state of Texas. She keeps company with four native Texans – my brother-in-law and three nephews – all of whom are avid fans of the University of Texas Longhorns. Nikhil, age 5, is the proud older brother of the two-year-old twins: Mihir and Rahul. While riding around in the minivan during the last few months, Nikhil has been counting the signs he sees in support of each presidential candidate.

Below is a conversation from a few weeks ago, when he was riding in the minivan with my sister.

Nikhil: “I don’t know about Mihir or Rahul, but I’m for Obama.”

Mother: “OK.” (maintaining a straight face and serious tone of voice)

Nikhil: “And I know that when it was Clinton versus Obama that you were for Clinton…but now you are for Obama, right?”

Mother: “That’s right.”

Nikhil: “But I’m not sure about Dad. What about Dad? Who is Dad for? I think he’s for Obama.”

Mother: “I think he might be, but it would be great if you ask your Dad to find out.”

Nikhil: “Well, it seems like pretty much everybody in our family is for Obama.” (observing the sign for Obama/Biden in the neighbor’s front yard)

Mother: “I suppose it seems that way…” (pulling into garage, while still maintaining a straight face)

Nikhil: “So, when are we going to get our sign?”

Cent 2.

My Sign is Peace – The perspective of hope

So, when are we going to get our sign? Well, what are our choices? The other day my 13-year-old stepson asked why there were only two major parties. Yes, in the States, the political department store generally features only two kinds of signs in the front display. You have to walk inside to see the rest. Most of us are too busy to go in and check out the alternatives. Or perhaps we are afraid that those alternatives pose a threat to the mannequins on display, so we don’t want to know what they are all about. Maybe some of us believe that the merchandise is overpriced, leaving us to believe that we’re better off without it. Some passersby may not even notice the store at all. Even though the display changes every so often, our personal circumstances on whatever street we are living remain essentially the same.

What is most interesting to me about this election are the mannequins on display. Such a display is powerful stuff, regardless of your political views, and it has even turned the heads of some passersby who usually don’t give a hoot. Here I am witnessing not one, but two women whose participation at this level of politics symbolizes a new era of possibilities. I’m also witness to the first ever African-American candidate for President. Furthermore, given our life expectancy these days (for those of us with access to good healthcare benefits), I’m not surprised to see a candidate who is in his 70s. So there you have it: the action figures represent diversity of age, gender, and race.

I step into my nephew’s shoes: “I’m too young to remember the last presidential election, but this time around I’m counting the signs. I don’t stay up late to watch Tina Fey mock Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. I don’t watch YouTube. I don’t listen to conservative radio or watch liberal news programming. But I have seen those mannequins in the storefront. I am not sure I understand what they stand for. I know what they look like. One appears to be more popular, but there is nothing unusual about the fact that these are my choices. Hey, maybe someday there will even be a President who looks like me. Well, I think I’ll go with the one that has the most signs. Things around me seem OK. I trust the people around me and my community to know how to make good decisions. If this action figure is good enough for them, then he’s good enough for me.”

Back in my own shoes. How am I different from my nephew? Do I believe that because I’m older and more “experienced” that I will vote for a candidate on the basis of “research”? I suppose I try to find out as much as I can. Sometimes I am persuaded by endorsements from people or organizations that I trust, because I don’t feel that I have the time to do all the research on my own. However, in the end, it comes down to a feeling. I am for the candidate who appears to best represent my value system and who “speaks to me”.

Here comes the “judge” with his gavel. “Someone who speaks to you? What does that mean? You should take more time to do some real research. You should interview the Presidential candidates yourself.”

The “defendant” now speaks up, “Look here, I do my best. It is a wonder that I vote at all, to be honest. Some of these people who are supporters of either candidate are ruthless and I don’t want to be a part of their name-calling ways. They rarely appear to see the humans behind the labels they give each other. Plus, compared to the rest of the world, I’ve got it pretty good. I’ve got running water and electricity 24 hours a day. That’s not going to change under either candidate.”

Says the “judge”, “That’s all you want? Hot showers and some juice for your MacBook? Don’t you want more? Don’t you care? You have the privilege of living in a society where you actually get to choose your leaders – powerful leaders who can influence what is happening in the rest of the world. . .”

Whew! The perspectives have me spinning. But, deep down inside, I know what I want. And I’m going to vote. I’m going to put in my two cents. If I don’t vote, I’m letting someone else decide my future for me.

So, after voting for my pick for our next President and marking “yes” or “no” on 12 California state propositions, I’m hoping for some peace of mind. Without hope, there is no sign of peace.