I voted in the Iowa Straw Poll and have the blue ink on my index finger to prove it. It was not easy to be part of this event. I had to endure a three mile shuttle bus ride from the east side of Ames to the parking lot by Hilton Coliseum. Fortunately the bus was air conditioned or the ride would have been unbearable in the 70 degree heat. The wide cushioned seats were a nice touch too. Upon exiting the bus I was handed a $30 admission ticket, some leaflets and a t-shirt – all for free.
After a short briefing I was free to visit the various venues set up by the candidates. National media and international media were swarming the grounds so I played a game to get into the background of live camera shots. (Hi Ma!)
Then it took a bad turn. There was food everywhere! There was BBQ from Famous Dave’s, pizza from Godfathers and ice cream from Dairy Queen just to name a few of the options. Did I mention it was all free? How could I stay on my diet with so much free food available for the taking? I made my food choices, listened to the candidates’ speeches and actually met a few of them.
Finally I found time to vote. Walking out of the voting area I was required to dip my finger in blue ink. I suppose it was to discourage people from voting more than once. Then it hit me. The ink on my finger reminded of the iconic picture of an Iraqi woman that had voted and held up her purple stained finger with a look of pride that only comes with true achievement.
She likely risked her life to vote. There was no bus, no free food and no clowning around for the press. In fact, the picture made her more of a target for reprisals. So why did only 16,000 voters participate in the Iowa Straw Poll? If an apathetic people get the government they deserve then we are in trouble!
After a short briefing I was free to visit the various venues set up by the candidates. National media and international media were swarming the grounds so I played a game to get into the background of live camera shots. (Hi Ma!)
Then it took a bad turn. There was food everywhere! There was BBQ from Famous Dave’s, pizza from Godfathers and ice cream from Dairy Queen just to name a few of the options. Did I mention it was all free? How could I stay on my diet with so much free food available for the taking? I made my food choices, listened to the candidates’ speeches and actually met a few of them.
Finally I found time to vote. Walking out of the voting area I was required to dip my finger in blue ink. I suppose it was to discourage people from voting more than once. Then it hit me. The ink on my finger reminded of the iconic picture of an Iraqi woman that had voted and held up her purple stained finger with a look of pride that only comes with true achievement.
She likely risked her life to vote. There was no bus, no free food and no clowning around for the press. In fact, the picture made her more of a target for reprisals. So why did only 16,000 voters participate in the Iowa Straw Poll? If an apathetic people get the government they deserve then we are in trouble!
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