(Again, Facebook friends asked that I post this to the Texana Review, so here ‘tis)
Kinda discouraged...no, closer to dismayed.
Spent much of the day running errands here in San Angelo - grocery, hardware, recycle store, water bottle store, cleaners, cafe, etc.
Decided to continue my "highly scientific survey" at each merchant with the question: "Are you going to Vote?"
I have to admit, my technique is a little lopsided since I tend to put the question more to young people than I do to the middle-aged or the elderly.
Why?
Well...in the short time I've been running this little experiment, I've noticed a troubling trend and am wanting to delve into it a bit further.
So...here's how it went:
At the grocery - "Are you going to Vote?"
Gretchen - "No." "Why not?" "Doesn't make any difference." "How old are you?" "22"
Aaron - "No." "Why not?" "Obama is going to win anyway." "How old are you?" "24"
Samantha - "No." "Why not?" "I dunno; don't care." "How old are you?" "29"
Monica - "Don't know...when are we supposed to vote?" "November." "Oh...I'll think about it." "How old are you?" "27"
Renaldo - "Yes." "Good! How old are you?" "29; wait... don't you want to know who I'm gonna vote for?" "No, not today."
John - "No." "Why not?" "I haven't voted in years." "Why not?" "My vote makes no difference." "How old are you?" "42"
At the hardware store - "Are you going to Vote?"
Bruce - "No." "why not?" "Doesn't make any difference." "How old are you?" "22"
Perry (who stood next to Bruce) - "No." "Why not?" "Like he said (nodding at Bruce), it doesn't make any difference." "How old are you?" "27"
Tish - "Probably not." "Why not?" "I haven't voted since the 60s." "May I ask how old you are?" "Sure, I'm 65"
John & Dedra - "You betcha!" "Good, how old are you?" "I'm 55 and Dedra here is 54. Wait...don't you want to know WHO we're gonna vote for?" "I think I know already."
Latisha - "No." "Why not?" "Dunno really; doesn't make any difference." "How old are you?" "23"
At the cleaners - "Are you going to Vote?"
Maria (the clerk) - "No." "Why not?" "Both candidates suck!" "How old are you?" "29"
Un-named customer (now this was a piece of work) - "NO! a**hole! Who are you anyway...some kinda far-right, snaggle-tooth idiot that watches FOX News all day long!" "No...but maybe. I'm a writer and I ask questions." "Well, you mother-f***ing, right-wing, a**wipe, Nazi writer, who gives a sh** about voting...don't make any difference anyway!" "Really? Are you armed?" (I slipped my hand into my pant's pocket) I glanced at Maria who, in spite of being a dark complected Hispanic, was fully flushed in her face. "F**k you!" he said, and headed for the glass doors. "Oh, by the way, are you always so articulate? And how old are you?" "I'm 19, motherf***er...f*** off!"
(Maria and I chatted for a few moments before I headed to the cafe for lunch)
At the cafe - "Are you going to Vote?"
Jessica - "No." "Why not?" "My vote doesn't make any difference." "How old are you?" "25"
Cafe manager - "No." "Why not?" "Dunno." "How old are you?" "35"
Waitress - "Yes." "Good! How old are you?" "22"
At the general store - "Are you going to Vote?"
Clerk (oldish, slight gray at the temples) - "No. Who's running anyway?" (he winked at me...he had lied)
"Why not?" I asked. "Not much to choose from, is there?" (first intelligent response I'd gotten all day, and a true comment it was)
"Your're not going to vote?" I asked again.
"No...maybe...perhaps...who's asking?"
"Me," I said.
"And so, who might you be?"
"A writer of sorts."
"Ahh... and a curious one at that, huh?"
"Yes...wait a minute...I was asking the questions."
"Never mind...that'll be $19.95, Edward, with tax."
"You know my name?" (astonished)
"Yes."
"And yours?" I asked.
"John",” he said...and extended his hand. “John Galt. Pleased to know you."

© Copyright 2012 Edward Blackburn. All rights reserved.