Please let this election be over
I've really had enough at this point. This election has been going on for years, and now that we're only a couple days from voting day (though I already voted), the increased rhetoric is really starting to get to me. The dirtiest ads have started running now, and it reminds me why I hate voting. Elections tend to bring out the worst in everyone and I've had my fix for the next four years. In California, the ads for each of the propositions are bordering on ridiculous. Each one has you believing that a vote in their opponents' direction will lead to the end of civilization as we know it.
The most inflammatory proposition on the California ballot is, arguably, Proposition 8. The purpose of the proposition is to eliminate same-sex marriages in the state (no really, the title is, "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry"). As with most propositions, this one is really about much more than just the stated purpose.
In 2000, California passed Proposition 22, which defined marriage as only between a man and a woman. California's Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that same-sex marriages could take place, effectively throwing out the results of the Prop 22 vote eight years earlier. There are quite a lot of people who are upset that the Court would see fit to throw out an initiative that was overwhelmingly passed by voters, bringing into question just what the Court's role should be in relation to voter-approved initiatives. In effect, a "yes" vote on Prop 8 could mean that you believe the Court acted improperly by overruling the will of the people.
On the other side, Prop 8 brings up the sting of institutionalized discrimination that has been at the heart of United States history. People are quick to point out that marriage between different races was illegal for a long time, while also mentioning how women were once not allowed to vote. So a "no" vote on Prop 8 could mean that you're against discrimination.
The sad thing about Prop 8 is that it's brought out the worst in both sides. There have been reports of yes/no signs disappearing from people's yards, vandalism, and other criminal acts perpetrated in relation to this proposition. I'm not sure how either side can be proud of that. There's also the typical grouping of people: if you vote "yes", clearly you're a bigot, if you vote "no", clearly you're advocating the gay lifestyle. A "yes" vote means you don't care about civil rights while a "no" vote means you're going to hell. I'm really getting tired of the finger-pointing and righteous proclamations being made by both sides.
The sides of this battle have spent an incredible amount of money on their campaigns - $70 million in total (source) - to try to convince people. Really? Is that the best use of that money? To make matters worse, companies such as Google and Apple have come out in opposition of Prop 8. Why do I care what either of those companies think? I'm a firm believer that corporations should stay out of politics, especially as it relates to non-business measures. I know I'd be a bit miffed if I worked at either company to have a "corporate position" on anything on the ballot. I, for one, am glad that Yahoo! hasn't put out any press releases telling people to vote a certain way on Tuesday; I don't like the idea of my employer having an official stance on something like this.
The other propositions aren't nearly as heated, but the battles are still there. Tons of money being spent on last-minute commercials that have been barraging the average voter household all day and night. I can't even begin to explain how tired of impassioned speeches I've become. If you really want to do a service to your state, don't listen to anything in the advertisements. Do your own research and figure out what you believe. And don't villify anyone who believes the opposite of you; they have just as much right to their opinion as you do to yours. That's what makes this country great. And after Tuesday, I'll be a much happier citizen, as I get back to life without political advertisements and people revert their middle names back from "Hussein."
