2012 Election

BOOG CITY A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FROM A GROUP OF ARTISTS AND WRITERS BASED IN AND AROUND NEW YORK CITY’S EAST VILLAGE ISSUE 75 • 2012 ELECTION SPECIAL • FREE 2012 Election: You Make the Call BY CHRIS CASAMASSIMA only to say “you have GOT TO BE Many criticisms leveled at Videos complete with laugh tracks Contributing Editor KIDDING ME” about some of the Obama are the fault of an and wiffle bats to the groin. And asked the following question to proposed legislation out there. obstructionist legislative branch, after all the performers were done a host of people: “In about 250- No, my needs are not even and even when the Dems had with their shtick, and taking off their I300 words, tell us about your remotely being addressed by pancake makeup, Republicans choice of (or whether or not you’ll a particular candidate. I am an went with the clown who least vote for) president this fall, why you anarchist and I believe in things as frightened the children. will/won’t choose them and if/how seemingly extreme as trans-abled Romney is the poster boy their policies reflect your community’s individuals wanting to live their lives for entitlement. He thinks of the concerns.” Here’s what they said with one of their arms surgically working poor as service animals or (replies are ordered by state). removed, because that is how they parasites, and his frequent gaffes identify. Not only does no particular show how sheltered he is. He wants Lafayette, Colo. candidate cover my needs, even the office more than he wants to j/j hastain represent them, but in some cases serve. Obama is not perfect, but my rights as a Gender queer person he’s the only choice a rational are even suspect. This is the body. person can make. This is my body. That is your sweet Brent Fisk is a librarian, writer, body. You may be infinite to yourself control of the House and Senate, and city league basketball phenom. and I wish, oh I wish that there was he was poorly served by Pelosi One of those three might be a slight a government that could morph with, and Reid. Instead of passing a exaggeration. hold, and sustain such sense. raft of populist legislation, they j/j hastain is the author of sev- dragged out the debate on health eral cross-genre books, including care and let divisiveness creep in. the trans-genre book libertine monk Give Republicans a year to work Katie Bohinc (Scrambler Press), anti-memoir a their dark arts, and they’d make Washington, D.C. vigorous (Black Coffee Press/Eight most Americans fear ice cream Utopia Ball Press), and The Xyr Trilogy: a and puppies. Metaphysical Romance. It’s not as if I don’t see the It is always a choice NOT to value in a loyal opposition, but vote. I would choose to not vote until Bowling Green, Ky. from day one McConnell’s priority That Eros knows Nothing there is a viable “other than these Brent Fisk was to make Obama a one- Of the word Better two poles” option-of-candidate who I’m smack in the middle of a dark term president. There are valid actually had a likelihood of winning, red state, so every four years I waste discussions to be had on the size, Our only Hope but people not being able to have my vote. Still, I’m supporting Obama. role, and efficiency of government, an abortion is just abhorrent to me. Why people think a candidate will but Republicans turned it into a All’s fair So this year I will step in (knowing sync perfectly with their political circus. And when it came time In Love and War that my vote will probably not be philosophy is beyond me. It’s about to select their candidate, did counted correctly and that whatever the preponderance of actions and they give the American people a Our every is pre-decided about which of the beliefs. Obama is not perfect, but I viable alternative to Obama? The Demise poles will win will not be even never bought that Messiah crap the Republican primary debates were remotely affected by my vote) if Republicans tried to hang on him. like watching America’s Funniest Vote Tuesday November 6 2012 Election: You Make the Call Lafayette, La. in protecting our rights and civil excuses its own violence. While I national debt—here too one is Marthe Reed liberties through the appointments of understand the reality of stewarding logically and ethically (but perhaps Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wars begun by the former presidential not emotionally) obliged to vote to the Supreme Court, in passing administration, I am outraged by the against corporate-libertarian the Fair Sentencing Act that undid warmongering of President Obama’s top-down economic policies. If the racist distinctions between crack administration: the drone killings, the Romney’s ilk wants to call itself and powdered cocaine users. Do I indefinite detentions, and more. the job creators, then they’re need to go on? I have always been an Our nation can continue to make Independent who is undecided until progress in fulfilling its promise to the last moment that I enter the assure justice and equality to all its polling station to cast my vote. Few citizens and residents and creating a concerns are as important to me as better future, or we can be afraid, give fostering peace. I have never for a in to dangerous “comfortable” illusions, moment believed that any political give in to irrational disappointment that candidate truly cares about peace. the world did not change 180 degrees But I never give up hope. I will vote again for Barack in four short years. Martin Luther King For me it comes down to this: 1) Obama, because he has worked tells us, “In the End, we will remember Will I vote for Jill Stein’s ticket (of assiduously to fulfill the nation’s not the words of our enemies, but the the Green Party) and make a quiet promises of justice, equality, and silence of our friends.” Barack Obama statement against warmongering that freedom. Facing an unimaginable has been a potent, vocal champion nonetheless has little tangible effect obligated to speak also of the economic crisis, he has worked to of justice, a fast friend in the face of on actual election results; or 2) will wealth and commodity creators, protect the interests of the middle- calamity, ignorance, and upheaval. I I vote for President Obama’s ticket who outnumber them, which they class against the rabid, debunked will vote with pride for Barack Obama in hopes that his administration will can’t do while simultaneously “pro-business” (read: trickle-down) in 2012. finally make good within a second serving their interests with any kind theories of the Republican party, Marthe Reed’s books include term on the many promises for peace of rhetorical consistency. Even so, which owes its existence entirely to Gaze (Black Radish Books) and that he made four years ago? (The as the environmental catastrophe the far right fringe whose antediluv- Tender Box (Lavender Ink); a third other presidential candidate merits we’re beginning to experience is ian notions have more in common book is forthcoming from Moria. no mention.) It is tragic that peace invisible in this campaign, I feel the with the Taliban’s than are suited to She has published three Dusie advocates like me have such limited election to be a futile exercise. the economic, environmental, and chapbooks. choices. Voting brings me no joy. Jared Schickling’s latest books of social realities of the 21st century. Tree Turtle (www.treeturtle.com) poetry are t&u& lash your nipples to It is Barack Obama who has Baltimore is the director of operations for the a post history is gorgeous and The assured the protection of health care Tree Turtle Kratz Center for Creative Writing at Pink (both BlazeVOX [books]). He is for nearly all Americans. It is Barack Goucher College, and a language a founding editor at Delete Press and Obama who has worked with our arts teacher at Goucher and the the proprietor of eccolinguistics. allies and via diplomacy as the first University of Baltimore. and primary means of engagement North Babylon, N.Y. in international conflict. Lockport, N.Y. Ian Wilder It is Barack Obama who led Jared Schickling the way on fair pay for women, in The only thing I’m sure of is that promoting a means to legal status my vote will not be “for” any of for children of illegal immigrants, in the options available to me as a standing up for women’s rights and voter. But, whatever it is, it will be reproductive freedoms. It is Barack a vote against the Republican Party Obama who led the way in resisting because, as far as I can see, to vote the Defense of Marriage Act and for Romney and Ryan is to know for undoing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, in On Sept. 25, 2012, President sure that you’re voting against clean recapitalizing of the banks at almost Obama appeared live on ABC energy, fair elections, women’s no cost to the U.S government, in Television’s morning talk show rights, biology, climate science, kicking banks out of the federal The View. While lambasting the the separation of church and state, student loan program and increasing extremists who murdered the United animal rights, workers’ rights, the I am voting for Green Party Pell Grants. States’ Libyan Ambassador after a poor, the working class, the sick, presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. It is Barack Obama who led the contretemps over an anti-Islam film, the foreign, the arts, arms reduction, Dr. Stein has consistently supported the corporate and democracy way in increasing fuel standards, the President declared that, “There’s equal access to education, and reforms called for by the Occupy in establishing the mechanism for never an excuse for violence.” diversity and tolerance. movement. She has chosen anti- closing our dirtiest power plants, Contrary to the President’s But in terms of the language of poverty crusader Cheri Honkala as and promoting green alternatives, declaration, America continually this election—jobs, taxation, and

2 BOOG CITY WWW.BOOGCITY.COM her running mate. They follow the Green Party policy of refusing all corporate donations. Stein will rein in the oversized U.S. military budget, which is larger than every other nation in the world—combined. There is no reason for us to be maintaining approximately 1,000 overseas military bases. Stein is a supporter of a single-payer health care system. Neither Obama nor Romney will even mention single-payer. Government health care is done with 2 percent overhead, while private health insurance is 20 percent. Single-payer does away with hundreds of public and private bureaucracies. It frees doctors to concentrate on health, not using the right bureaucracy’s form. It will free up innovators from taking McJobs to remain insured. Stein wants to bail out the American taxpayer, not the banks and the corporate tax cheats. Obama Russell Salamon and Kent Taylor watching d.a. levy set type for his renegade press books, c. 1963-1964. and Romney mouthed the too big to fail bank propaganda that the foreclosure crisis is the fault of American homeowners rather than the criminal action of American bankers. Neither Obama nor Romney has even questioned the Federal Reserve’s d.a. levy lives secret trillion-dollar bailout of banks, domestic and foreign. Dr. Stein would break up the big banks and nationalize the Federal Reserve. celebrating renegade presses Dr. Stein will immediately address the global climate change emergency that Obama and Romney Tues. Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m., $5 suggested have ignored. She has based her campaign on instituting a Green New Deal, which would shift the focus of our economy from a militarily enforced oil 10th annual economy to a renewable energy job-creating one. Please don’t waste your vote on Obama or NYC Small Presses Night Romney. Dr. Jill Stein calls for us to replace the politics of fear with the politics of courage. Readings from American Books; Augury Books; Birds, LLC; Ian Wilder is a former co-chair of the Green Party of the United States Presidential Campaign Support Brooklyn Arts Press; Monk Books; and O’clock Press. This Committee. Wilder is secretary of the Green Party of Suffolk. He co-curates the politics and culture website event is co-curated by No, Dear magazine editors Emily www.onthewilderside.com. Brandt and Alex Cuff (www.nodearmagazine.com). North Babylon, N.Y. Kimberly Wilder Sidewalk Cafe 94 Avenue A (@ E. 6th St.), East Village Featuring Readings from: American Books Brooklyn Arts Press www.americanbooksusa.wordpress.com www.BrooklynArtsPress.com —Jeremy Hoevenaar —Martin Rock —Jackie Clark Of course I will vote. I took all the time to register. Augury Books The government already has my information, I might as well take a few minutes from a Tuesday evening www.augurybooks.com Monk Books to apply my tiny bit of personal power and give a —B.C. Edwards www.monk-books.com message to the powers-that-be. —Readers TBD Who will I vote for? I will vote for myself. I will vote to preserve my personal integrity. I Birds, LLC will not vote for someone who I do not believe www.birdsllc.com O’clock Press in, nor for someone who has taken away my —Ana Božic ž evic´ civil rights and threatened my very existence www.oclockpress.com by supporting the Patriot Act and the National —Dan Magers —Readers TBD Defense Authorization Act. I will vote to uphold my values. One of my main Series curated and with an introduction by Boog City editor David Kirschenbaum values is “Thou shalt not kill.” So, I will vote in a way

WWW.BOOGCITY.COM BOOG CITY 3 2012 Election: You Make the Call that demands an end to war. Cleveland We all hope this election There are several ways I can accomplish my Marcus Bales Will end in the selection voting goals: Of someone who can turn this around 1) Vote for a candidate who is against our But in the circumstances current wars: Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party; Gary I just don’t like our chances Johnson, Libertarian Party; or Peta Lindsay, Party They’ll probably burn it all to the ground. for Socialism and Liberation. These are my antiwar The strong and smart will overrate choices in New York. In other states, peace Their value, right or wrong -- activists could also choose candidates such as That’s why we need a strong, smart state Roseanne Barr and Cindy Sheehan, running on the To police the smart and strong. Peace and Freedom Party line. I’m really close to thinking now 2) Write in a very strong message such as that I shall refuse “End The Wars,” “Government Should Not Kill,” I’ve got the Presidential blues. or “No Wars for Oil.” or They’re both inside the beltway: you 3) Write in a message or phrase put forward Can see them flinch and twitch by the Occupy Wall Street movement. A while The Presidential Blues When common people tell them to ago, occupiers had been suggesting “Mic Check They each have dissed the public schools Go tax the freaking rich for President.” Now, I think “Nobody for President” The troops get all the praise I watch them strictly minding their is making the rounds. If www.occupywallst.org They’re both the same except for rules appease and accuse or www.nycga.net put out the call for a person For women and for gays. I’ve got the Presidential blues. or phrase to vote for, I will probably follow I wish that there was something else May your elections take the turn them. (Unless, the Democrats have totally infiltrated to see on the news You hope for, not the worst. occupy by election day, and they are foolish enough I’ve got the Presidential blues. But I think you can now discern to tell me to vote for the military-drone-supporting, They each have many million bucks why I think I am cursed. NDAA-embracing, warmonger, Obama.) And Harvard law degrees Oh, why should I believe at all Peace. Struggle. Voting. They’d rather seize our homes and trucks what either one spews -- Kimberly Wilder is co-curator at www. Than bankers’ plushy fees. I’ve got the Presidential blues. PeaceCouple.com. She is a poet, musician, peace I hope that you can see the reasons I hope that this election activist, and early childhood educator. You can I don’t enthuse won’t need a court’s direction often find her temping at an office near you. She I’ve got the Presidential blues. Where everybody sues and sues and sues has interesting friends. They’re Frick and Frack -- whoever runs -- or some dumb southern numb-nut They’ll mine and they’ll drill: doesn’t act the dumbbutt, The lesser of two Republicans infected with Confederate blues. Remains an evil still. But I have got a feeling There’s not too much between them That we will end up reeling but I’ve got to choose In parties fueled with anger and booze Launched by the League of I’ve got the Presidential blues. Cause I’ve got the attack-ad the low-down crap attack ad the chiding Biden lying Ryan Women Voters Education Fund BOOG CITY six billion dollar election costs Issue 75 I’m voting for -- no! I’m not saying! -- in October of 2006, VOTE411. editor/publisher David A. Kirschenbaum Presidential blues. [email protected] music editor Jonathan Berger Not much is known about Marcus Bales org is a “one-stop-shop” for elec- [email protected] except his poems have not been published in poetry editor Buck Downs Poetry Magazine or The New Yorker. [email protected] tion related information. It pro- small press editor Kimberly Ann Southwick [email protected] Cleveland contributing editor Chris Casamassima Joshua Ware vides nonpartisan information to [email protected] For the 2012 presidential election, I will vote counsel Ian S. Wilder for Dr. Jill Stein. As the Green Party’s candidate, First published October 2012. Paper is copyright Boog City, she provides an alternative to the “politics as the public with general and state- all rights revert to contributors upon publication. Boog always reads work for Boog City or other consideration. Put Boog City sub usual” that the Democratic and Republican parties in subject line and email to [email protected] or applicable represent. Most of my friends (primarily my friends speciﬁc information on various editor. Letters to the editor should go to [email protected]. who vote Democrat and like to believe they’re BOOG CITY 330 W. 28th St., Suite 6H “liberal”) tell how I’m wasting my vote cast-ing it aspects of the election process. N.Y., N.Y. 10001-4754 • www.boogcity.com for a third-party candidate. @boogcity • (212) 842-BOOG (2664) Another common line they feed me is: You’re just

4 BOOG CITY WWW.BOOGCITY.COM helping the Republicans win. From my Like private housing developments Alexandria, Va. government itself, and the direction perspective, though, casting a vote for surrounded by gates, regulations, and Magus Magnus of the country. one of the two corporate parties is a extreme social conventions, these are Meanwhile, Virginia is a key swing instruments that make life pleasant state for this election, and so the when the rest of the world maybe isn’t. distinction between capital-focused Further, this way of walling yourself off Northern Virginia and the rest of pushes harmful effects out onto the the commonwealth, with its regional environment—by dumping waste into culture and concerns is as apparent the ocean the yacht owner probably as it ever was (not forgetting—and isn’t going to swim in anyways or by certainly not accepting—that our taking money out of the system that area was excluded as the “real contributed to its accumulation. Virginia” according to the 2008 The Wall Street executive drinking The dual question of who for McCain campaign). champagne while watching protestors president and what issues affect Increasingly, Virginia turns on wasted vote. It’s an acknowledgment on the other side of the glass is a one’s community is a reversal of its Northern Virginia hinge. Here that you no longer believe in freedom model of one kind of community, but the familiar phrase, “think globally, in Alexandria, where the local is of choice and willfully concede to the not one that I want to be a part of act locally.” For our answer, interlinked with the national, the hundreds of millions of dollars spent or vote for. Prior to addressing the we’re asked to think locally, in battle is oriented to what’s at stake on these candidates. reference to our acting globally in the general election, rather than Casting a vote for third-party (voting nationally in the U.S., for to policy effects near at hand. candidates is our last chance to an outcome of inevitable impact So, if a vote once again for exercise a sane and democratic on the world). Furthermore, for my Barack Obama is—as Dr. Johnson voice. Moreover, if you think voting locale specifically—Alexandria, said of second marriage—“the for a guy who signed a bill that Va.—the local and the national are triumph of hope over experience,” paid banks over $825 billion of tax- inextricably intermixed. nonetheless it is the only responsible payer money to cover the more than Alexandria is inside the Beltway, global action to take for the sake $825 billion of our money they lost part of the Washington, D.C. of an America upholding inclusive in ill-conceived investments, then I’ve metropolitan area, the population ideals against the threat of wool- got a $101,000-college loan bill I of which lives and works in the over-the-eyes-pulling plutocracy. wouldn’t mind sending you. atmosphere of our nation’s capital. Magus Magnus’ books include And don’t even get me started on needs of specific communities—like the So when it comes to presidential Verb Sap, Heraclitean Pride, The Re- the guy who averaged $21 million historically poor neighborhood where politics, the issues it concerns itself echoes, and Idylls for a Bare Stage. income the past few years. Even in his I live; the large public university where with are the issues of the federal Please see CASAMASSIMA page 7 “off” year, 2011, Romney managed I study and work; the to bring in $13 million. I make it a groups of writers, artists, practice not to vote for dickheads. cooks, journalists, Finally, Dr. Stein’s arrest the other tech contractors, and night while she attempted to access teachers that I’m lucky the grounds of Hofstra University on to have as friends—there Advertise in the day of the second presidential is a need to see the debate demonstrated that she is people living in those a true patriot and working in the communities as working revolutionary spirit of our country’s toward something founders; she is willing to stand up worthwhile and as BOOG CITY to political corruption and greed at capable of creating the risk of her own well-being. something other than Joshua Ware is the author of a drain on executive Homage to Homage to Homage salaries. to Creeley (Furniture Press). The community I want to live in isn’t thanks Austin, Texas on the ballot, but at Daniel Carter least Obama seems Offshore investments and yachts to glimpse that it might flying the flag of the Cayman Islands be a possibility. seem like pretty decent ways to look Daniel Carter is the at this election, especially when the author of two chap- [email protected] question is regarding community. books, This Apparatus These are both vantage points from (Furniture Press) and which to watch the rest of the world Here Both Sweeter 212-842-BOOG (2664) sink or swim; these are havens from (forthcoming, Kent the risk that surrounds them. State University Press).

BOOG CITY 5 WWW.BOOGCITY.COM Gimme an Off-Shore Account: Tales from the 2012 Election BY CHRISTINA many hotels. But hey, let’s not think of the poor disappointed in your politicians. If we take as a STRONG because those folks can walk right up to the given that all politicians are corrupt, why are you Contributor emergency room and get treated! surprised that the current one is not up to your illy me, I thought voter But back to the tropical islands, because standards? It’s not the lesser of two evils; it’s just intimidation was illegal people like to paint them as paradises, fulfillment of reality. The cold hard facts. Sand just a big no no! fantasies such as wealth. Palm trees. Torquoise blue It could be worse. The years 1928-1932 Boy was I wrong! Day is night, war is peace, and waters. Do you see the Isle of Man as a tropical seemed like a lot of fun, didn’t they? It does seem the nutjobs have crawled out of the woodwork paradise? No. But it is a tax haven. But who would obvious in hindsight that Herbert Hoover was and haven’t even bothered to put on their white want to go there when you have the Bahamas or going to suck bricks, but the majority of Americans hoods. They’re carrying guns and have ditched Barbados or Bermuda. There’s the Seychelles or voted for him anyway. They demonized Al Smith, the Thorazine. Welcome, folks. It’s crazy time! good ole fallback Switzerland. If you like winter Hoover’s rival, because he was a Catholic. Even Crazy time! When it seems OK to be the KKK wasn’t pleased with Smith, but an ignorant, racist, creation-believing, then again the KKK hates just about gun-toting, 10th-amendment quoting, everyone anyway. “education is elitist,” homophobic It must have sucked so bad at the misogynist crazy person. time. The country switched the other way Sorry, old lady! I know you’ve four years later and booted Hoover’s been voting for the past 60 years butt out. It took another eight years to but not anymore! And do you really get out of that hole. need that wheelchair? Budget cuts, Does history repeat itself? Is it like you know! Oh wait, I see, you want now? Kind of, except that we are to keep the wheelchair, but you don’t supposed to have safety nets in order want me to have one when I’m a to not have Hoovervilles, safety nets disabled 80 year old. like SNAP (Food Stamps) and the like, Remember when women were and that’s a government handout, you property and couldn’t vote? Me neither. know, cuz by gum it, if you’re hungry, They say times were simpler back then. the last thing you need is food! You How simple? 1965 pre-Griswold v. need bootstraps, but we’re not giving Connecticut, or 1848 pre-Seneca you those either! Convention? Or back to the 1600s United States presidential election, when women were witches. I’m confused. Yeah, outdoor sports, that’s the place to go—lots of 1980. The peanut farmer against the B-list movie it was simpler all right. No plumbing, electricity, shopping for expensive watches! No capital gains actor cum governor of California. I knew Reagan infrastructure, drinking water out of the tap. No tax, no corporate tax, no income tax. was going to win, and I knew the world thereafter school nearby for kids to go to. Women knew Times have changed since the 1912 election! would become the haven of money hungry their place. Yes, it’s always been a goal of mine From sputtering Fords to car elevators in mansions! greedy pit of war profiteering scum masquerading to die giving birth to my 15th kid. TV! TV ad campaign buys! The internets! Where as prime rib steak. It seemed obvious that Reagan Ah, the simple life, living right off the beach anyone who has access to a computer can was oblivious to people outside his bubble, which read the pros and cons about candidates! The is to say, the rest of America. I knew that if Reagan Does history repeat itself? Kind oncoming death of newspapers and objectivity! was elected, the world was going to suck. And of, except that we are supposed to Women and people of color can vote—well, it did. I might be accused of “negative thinking” have safety nets like Food Stamps, kinda. A black man can become president! but I could not have predicted the Iran-Contra And so, the world didn’t end but there’s plenty scandal, AIDS, the advent of the right wing so and that’s a government handout, you more people in the Middle East mad at us. For called Christian direct mail marketing whiz kids, know, cuz, by gum it, if you’re hungry, good reasons. And there’s a number of people the recession, Duran Duran. the last thing you need is food. You disappointed within the United States. Elections are quite weary, aren’t they? Tiring, need bootstraps. In 1912 Debs got 6 percent of the vote and especially if you’re a third-party candidate who got nowadays Dr. Jill Stein will maybe barely get arrested and held for eight hours trying to get into a in southern California. Ah, it must be nice to have 0.10 percent of the vote, not even enough to fill a presidential debate—contrasted with the other two, a house there. I love the beach too, and many stadium. But if you feel like you need to vote for her, who have to schmooze CEOs and “small business islands. The Cayman Islands must be gorgeous, go ahead, at least you are not undecided. Though leaders” and maybe get to chat with a foreign don’t you think? It’s the kind of place where you to let you know, the Green Party got 0.12 per- leader or two, but on private jets, and probably have to be really rich to even be there, unless of cent in 2008 but do what you must. I understand. have a better diet than you or I have. course you’re the dishwasher or maid at one of the Though I don’t understand why you are They go on so long and cost millions of dollars.

6 BOOG CITY WWW.BOOGCITY.COM You’d think around this time of year people would Sorry pops, you fought in WWII but you can’t What do you need to vote? Mystery money! have made up their mind. This time of year is not vote, you don’t have ID. Sorry your leg was blown Voodoo economics! A hedge fund, or two! a surprise; it coincides with the Olympics. The off. Oh, do you want A shoeshine on the weather gets colder, especially if you live in the money for your loss and Elections are quite weary, aren’t runway. If you’re pretty northeast United States. But who knows these your sacrifice? Too bad. they? Tiring, especially if you’re a third- well assured who you’re days, last year New York City was quite warm. You’re a student here, party candidate who got arrested and going to vote for, you Too warm for January. Soon, the city will look but you live in another can also fire up the old a little like the Cayman Islands. Now is the time state, but you’re here held for eight hours trying to get into XP or your snazzy smart to start planning for palm trees. Invest in a kayak more months out of the a presidential debate—contrasted with phone and find your company. There’s a stock tip. year so you want to vote the other two, who have to schmooze polling place. If you Though what obscures the pomp and in Maine? You’ve got CEOs and small business leaders. choose to sit this one out circumstance of the whole election time period is the two forms of ID but you for cynical or external actual voting process. Taking time off from work to don’t exist, but uh, pay off those student loans with reasons and know who you’d vote for anyway, go to an elementary school, or community center, interest, OK? there’s always the fun job of canvassing. Going to or wherever else, mailing in your vote beforehand. You don’t need to have an ID to show up at another state, going door-to-door, asking people Clearly this is a harder process if you live in more the pools but you take it anyway because you’re if they voted or are going to. Fun! Bring a warm than half of the states in the country. Because if you black, but you have the same name as some guy, jacket. And an umbrella. Over pack, you’ll need have enough money, you can buy an election. Can who is also black, and a felon. You can’t vote. to be creative. you buy a vote? Well, you can make it difficult so Not only that, he can’t vote either. You and he, Christina Strong has one foot on and one foot they can’t. In fact, you can pay for them not to vote! both. Just because, well, you know why. off the grid.

CASAMASSIMA from page 5 Fairmont, W.V. Wall Street Victory Party: Donna Long I was seven-years-old when I Election Day watched my mother burst into tears in the grocery store check-out lane. Tues., Nov. 6, 2012 Someone had stolen the entire week’s grocery budget for our family of six 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. from her purse. $40.00. We left the groceries behind. Zuccotti Park My father owned his own business, but it wasn’t taxes or health-care costs Broadway & Liberty Street that kept him from thriving. He had New York City chosen to use his WWII GI Bill on vocational training rather than a college degree. In the 1950s and On Election Day, why wait until the ’60s, he made a decent living as a shoe repairman, but by 1970 there were fewer and fewer shoes being sold that people bothered to fix and his official tally comes in? After all, here business limped along, mostly due to his skill in making shoes for people on Wall Street, we are always the with prosthetics or other physical disabilities. Then, while volunteering with the Florida Highway Patrol, he was severely injured in a car accident and first to know who won. At the true unable to work again. He was 48 years old; I was nine. epicenter of American power, My parents instilled their blue-collar work ethic into each of their children. We all had jobs as soon as we were old enough. None of us finished high the 1% will mingle, pour some bubbly, school. Today, I am the only one in my family with a college degree, which and then call the elections early. I would not have been able to earn without student loans. Although I am the youngest, I am far more financially secure than my siblings, none of whom Regardless of which party snags the have jobs that provide health insurance or retirement benefits. seat of power, we have already won!!! So, I will not vote for a candidate who would not be able to fathom my mother’s tears when the modest grocery budget was stolen; who profited by liquidating businesses and moving jobs overseas; who would gut veteran JOIN US IN A TOAST AT 5:00 SHARP AS WE benefits; who would cut federal financial aid, or turn it over to private banks altogether. Nor could I vote for a candidate whose running mate has even DECLARE WALL STREET THE WINNER!!!! less empathy for less-than-privileged citizens than does the candidate himself. The irony, of course, is that my parents and my siblings all vote Republican. I am the only Democrat among us. A note on proper attire: Donna J. Long is a professor of English at Fairmont State University in Be sure to dress in your 1% finest! Fairmont, W.V., and editor-in-chief of Kestrel: A Journal of Literature and Art.