"I don't really want to stop the show,
But I thought that you might like to know," That the choice becomes clearer.
"So let me introduce to you
The one and only" Carole Kaye, Candidate for Florida House District 86
Local Election Days are upon us. For months now candidates for elected office have roamed their regions. Everyday people have had ample opportunity to meet, greet, and yes, even eat a meal with aspirants. Often, one challenger's name is better known. He or she may be an incumbent, or closely associated with one. Consider the Florida House race in District 86. Dissimilar Democratic candidates Carole Kaye and Lori Berman appear on the ballot. Who are these office seekers? What will they do for my community, commerce, our children, and me? Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and parts of Boca Raton constituents, who have not made politics their lives, search for answers as they travel to the polls.
Citizens are inundated with "information." Posters dot the landscape. Banners fly on Boulevards. Constituents don pins and place placards on their lawn. Windows and automobile bumpers have not escaped unscathed. Today, the message heard on avenue is "The time is now." Indeed, it is. Early voting began on August 9 and will continue through August 22, 2010. In Florida, while technically Primary Election Day is August 24, 2010, in reality it is today. In Palm Beach County House District 86, Primary Election Day is the final deciding date. Democrats with different styles compete for state House 86 seat. There is no Republican challenger in this race. The winner of the Primary will represent South Palm Beach County communities. Yet, many people do not feel equipped to decide. Whom might I cast a ballot for, the much lauded Lori Berman or the lesser known, highly qualified, Attorney, Educator, and person who for years has shared and cared for my backyard, Carole Penny Kaye.
"The dog ate my homework," said young Jonathan. In those tender years, he hoped an authority figure would trust the statement to be true. As an adult, Jonathan grumbled in frustration, "The computer ate my vote." The concerned citizen wanted to hear no excuses. Just as he knew the sweet little pup on his lap never digested the paper he did not write, Jon understood; the central processing system did not devour the votes. Constituent choices were not read or recorded accurately.
In Iraq, the war is waged. Bombs and bullet soar overhead. Often a missile lands, a mine explodes, and people perish. Daily life in the Persian Gulf life is perilous. I claim to care, and in actuality, I do, deeply. However, a casual observer would never know. I live well with the knowledge that those in Iraq die daily in heart, mind, body, and soul. The contrast between the quality of my life and the life of those in the Middle East haunts me.
In the spirit of Veterans Day, a revolutionary election, and a society that is now more reflective, I pose this question, "Why Billy; Why?"
I did ask Donald. I questioned George. I queried Dick; I sought answers from my representatives.
While the system shows us change is possible, I acknowledge it is slow. I believe we cannot be solely celebratory. We must remember there is much work to be done and if we, as individuals, do not do it, who will? If each of us does not choose to begin independently of what others, think, say, do, or feel, who will start the process. We must believe and act on our beliefs.
The war is not yet over. The issues still haunt us. Health care,wages,Social Security,voters' rights,election dilemmas,immigration issues, and education are all beckoning. Please heed their call. Please contact Congress; call your neighbors. Speak to your friends, your family, and familiars. Write to anyone and everyone. We never know who might be reading our words.
I invite you to join in this domestic deliverance. The struggle did not end on Election Day or with the Rumsfeld resignation. Please continue to Call for Change.
Please reflect; ponder this presentation, Why Billy Why?
I realize, and hope we all recognize, there are still needs, and desires for answers.
Review the References. Choose your position. Pursue, as you will . . .
The idea first entered my consciousness at the age of five. I overheard my parents having a passionate conversation. I had never seen them so animated. I wanted to feel as they did in that moment. By the time I was a teen I had read much. I knew; I was ready. How long would it be before I too felt the excitement and the energy I witnessed? I wondered.
When the time came, I was anxious, expectant, and so eager. I did not know that I could do it in my own home. I was young and naïve. I walked outside the house into a driving rain. I hitchhiked to meet my destiny. Once I completed the act, I was elated. I could hardly wait for the next time, then the next, and the next. All these years later, I still love doing it.
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