Thoughts of An American Voter 2010
I voted today with a black felt marker and left the polling place confused. Sure I fed the ballot into an electronic machine, but still I was expecting a touch screen or at least a push pad with multiple choice selections.
I live in the state where DARPANET, commonly called INTERNET, was born. The state known for sheltering some of computer technology's greatest hits: Bill Gates, MIT and of course 
Facebook. You should have guessed - "Taxachusetts." Oh, I'm sorry I meant to use the official name Massachusetts.
In a country with the reputation for leading the world in all things, why are we lagging in how we vote?
First, my polling place was at a church. Nothing like bringing church and state together when you vote. Sort of defeats the whole purpose of atheists trying to ban the pledge of allegiance.
The great irony of American democracy exists in the use of five words: separation of church and state. Makes me wonder about the use of a "living document." Does that mean that the constitution is allowed to put its foot in its mouth?
Anyway, I entered the church to vote and got my I.D. ready for confirmation. Surprise, nobody asked me for my I.D. Just my address and name, nothing more.
As I stood with my daughter in the short line for a booth, I began to drift off on a thought. Maybe next year I will send someone else in my stead and see what happens?
My turn came up and I approached a dilapidated half-opened raised indoor outhouse transformed into a voting booth. Torn burlap flaps barely covered straying eyes, while I had to keep reminding my daughter not to lean against the wood because it might collapse.
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