Evil Eye

It’s time to get out there and vote if you haven’t already.  We’re going today, and I’m pretty excited.  Not only do we get to vote for the president, here in Illinois we will vote (yes!) for IL Con-Con.  I just wish I lived in the 39th precinct in Hyde Park so I could vote against the referendum to make the area dry.  If you do live there, please vote against that move.  I completely understand wanting to support the union, being against the demolition of Doctor’s Hospital (although, really?  It’s just not that interesting, and keeping it empty is not useful at all, but that’s just my opinion), and wanting someone else to develop the hotel, but making the area dry for at least 4 years is a mistake.  I know any precinct can choose to do this, but by actually doing it, no restaurant or hotel will consider moving into the area without taking this action into account.  The 5th ward (which includes part of Hyde Park and Woodlawn) needs more businesses, it needs jobs, please don’t sabotage this area.  Just today I read this story about the economic state of affairs in Woodlawn.  A hotel on Stoney Island could employ a lot of local residents, and make that area less lonely at night.  If you don’t like the way things are going, keep negotiating, but think of the area beyond your little precinct, we are all affected by what happens with Doctors Hospital.  How many more large abandoned buildings does this area need?

So, get out there and vote, it makes a difference.

Now, I can understand being overwhelmed by large cities, they are big, and have busy, crowded neighborhoods.  I can understand being nervous about visiting a big city if you are not used to them.  But since when are city dwellers not as American as small town and rural Americans?  Since when are we un- or anti-American?  Since when are we not a part of real America?  Is it so hard to discuss policy that some must stoop to dividing us as a nation of real and not as real Americans?  (Well, I think I know the answer to that question.)

Big cities are marvels of American ingenuity, the result of people who made big plans, homes of beautiful art and architecture, places where people come to realize their dreams.  I have nothing against small towns, they are as much a part of the fabric of this country as are the big cities.  I am just sick of hearing Sarah Palin, Nancy Pfotenhauer, Michele Bachmann, and the like divide us as a nation, and paint some of us as anti-American.

And what is wrong with the elite?  What do they mean by elite?  Rich?  I doubt it, McCain’s not hurting.  Certainly not well dressed, right Sarah Palin?  Well educated, is that it?  Smarter than the average Joe?  Know what?  I want someone who is well educated and smart running things, how about you?  I don’t  care if the candidate is the kind of person I would want to have a beer with, like it’s gonna happen.  I want them to be smart and wise.  We have our chummy president, and he sucks, lets try something else this time.

I will leave you with a positive message from Sarah Vowell.