I believe that our Federal Election Day should be a national holiday.
Hear me out.
It is tremendously important to vote, but many well-intentioned employers don’t have the patience or the latitude to allow employees to spend six hours in a polling line. It becomes expensive and cumbersome to encourage employees to vote — even if it’s their constitutional right to do so (& protected by law).
A national holiday might help to create a culture of accountability — but more importantly, it might move employers to think about workforce planning and staffing issues.
See? The government can come in handy for something.
*
My thoughts? Cancel the stupid Columbus Day holiday and make Election Day — the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November — a federal holiday.
*
That being said, I’m done begging people to vote.
If you’re too stupid to realize the importance of your vote, I’m not sure that I want you casting a ballot. Moron. Do me a favor and forget to vote. Seriously. You’ll probably vote incorrectly, anyway.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I expect voter turnout to be huge today. Everybody in Florida thinks lines will be short because we have had early voting. Idjits. THere are going to be thousand of first time voter due to the Obama effect.
Laurie, don’t forget your free coffee at $bux. I am going to get mine in just a few minutes!
Vote, or lose your rights to whine about the government! You have the choice…
Thank you for trying to make Election Day a national holiday. Columbus Day is the most overrated holiday ever and don’t mind if it doesn’t exist.
Oh, if you voted free Starbucks and Krispy Kreme
I agree, the government should make it as easy as possible for people to vote.
I totally agree. We discussed this in the line to vote earlier this morning. There were lots of people there who were trying to vote early and then get in to work on time, or as close to on time as possible, since their employers either didn’t want to let them take time to vote, or it was impractical. We live out in BFE so going to vote on your lunch is just not possible, and some people don’t have much time at all in the evenings.
One woman said her daughter was going to leave work at five, drive the hour home and be in the line by seven so she could at least be assured of voting.
Why Alabama didn’t give us extra time, or allow us to vote early, I don’t know, but maybe one day we’ll have that option.
That’s a good idea. Now that I think about it, I’m surprised that Election Day isn’t a national holiday already.
@Michael Starbucks is done. Now it’s off to B&Jerry’s later tonight!
@Lynda Amen.
@Tracy Oh! Forgot about Krispy Kreme. Thanks!
@HR Minion God forbid they make it easy for us to participate in our democracy.
@Kelly O (see above)
@Average Jane (see above)
Let’s stop knocking Columbus day…
As Italian-American myself, I must note that all we get in return for horrible mafia stereotypes in TV and Film, and the dreadful animated characterization that is Little Cesear, is Columbus day. We gave the world Cannoli, Chianti, great works of art and culture, not to mention Bellini’s on a warm summer day. So please back off of Columbus day, it’s ours and you can’t have it back
I don’t get Columbus day off so I don’t know how that would help me out?
How about voting by mail? Oregon made it mandatory. Eliminates the need for time off, reduces the ridiculous lines and allows people to make more informed decisions in the comfort of their own home. I ran down the ballot and researched it on the internet and sent it in two weeks before the election. My wife dropped her’s off last night (24 hour drop off). There were probably 50 people there dropping off ballots but it only took about five minutes for them all to deposit them and get out of dodge.
@Jimmy Who says I’m not Italian? Well, I’m not, but I am pretty sure that the greatness of Columbus is challenged by Native Americans. I do support a cannoli day, though.
@Lance Why not vote by mail, vote by internet, vote early, and give me the day off? I vote ALL OF THE ABOVE.
I agree. This day should be a National Holiday. Get EVERYONE involved.
Also, I did vote already.
@MikeC I’ll take credit for your voting activities. I know you were inspired by this blog.
I could not agree with you more.
Hey, if we’re getting behind a holiday recognizing our Italian friends and their culinary contributions to our fine society, I am ALL about that. And wine. Don’t forget the wine.