An Example of a Self-Absorbed Voter

I recently received an e-mail from someone regarding a story about one of the candidates running for office. This e-mail was sent to just about every address in this person's contact list - we're talking lots and lots of people. Unfortunately, this person failed to verify the story before he forwarded it to everybody and their brother. This is a giant pet peeve of mine. I deplore getting these sorts of things because: A) who needs or wants incorrect information on any subject ever, and B) you can pretty much find out enough genuine information about the candidates to help you make up your mind about them without resorting to make believe. Well, one person on the list who received this forwarded e-mail chose to address that very issue. She sent her reply to everyone who had received the forwarded e-mail and she clearly expressed her dislike of receiving unverified information. She even went so far as to suggest that those sorts of stories be researched at a place such as snopes.com for authenticity prior to forwarding it to dozens of people. Personally, I thought that was a fabulous idea and it's one I actually preach about often. Check your facts before you share information! It might just save you from looking like a bigoted, ignorant jackass at some point. Anywho, as I said, I agreed with what this person said about verifying the information, etc., but then she said something that just blew my mind. She said this:

"And in case you're wondering about my own political stance, I vote for the person who is going to do the least amount of damage to my quality of life. They're both going to screw me, it's trying to figure out whose (sic) going to screw me the worst and then vote for the other guy. "

Hello!! Lady! Can you be anymore self centered?? Do you honestly think that YOUR personal quality of life should be the deciding factor in who becomes the most powerful human being on the planet? My gosh, woman. Talk about leading a sheltered little life! You must be one of those "special" people. You know the ones...the ones God liked best, that's why he made you a middle class American, right? I mean for real...you must be some kind of greatness all unto yourself to actually think your quality of life is what democracy is all about.
This attitude just burns me up! This person doesn't seem to care about character or leadership qualities or strength or ideas or plans for the future. Heck, no. She's not worried about poverty here in this country or across the planet or famine or war or terror or oppression. No, ma'am. And she's certainly not worried about some farmer or sheep herder on the other side of the planet who may be murdered for speaking out about his quality of life. No, sir. This woman is worried about her very own, personal quality of life. Wow! What a fine example of American patriotism. What an exemplary example of a member of the human race. My heart is just swelling with pride knowing that this chick has my e-mail address now. Yippee! Not.

Geez. Hope this election turns out okay for her. Wouldn't want something like world democracy to spoil her plans for the future. And I certainly wouldn't want something like the plight of strangers to touch her oh so perfect middle class American lifestyle. After all, God did put her soul into a free body in a bountiful land with all the comforts of modern living. If he'd of wanted her to worry about something or someone other than herself, he'd have had her born poor or better yet, into a body on the other side of the world.

Yeah, I know it's harsh and I know I should work at being a tad bit more accepting of others concerns, but my first thought when I read her little missive was this: What a woefully ignorant, self absorbed, narrow minded wench. And, two weeks after receiving her opinion, I still feel that way about her. Why? Because this is AMERICA! The heart of democracy! We should be voting for the person we believe in, not the person we think will do the least amount of harm to us. I firmly believe that America is supposed to be about optimism and opportunity, not cynicism and contempt!

What about you? What do you believe America is about?