I present you with the first
TELL IT LIKE IT T-I-Z TUESDAY
(just on Thursday this week)
I received a text message from my best friend yesterday that has obviously been circulating around the cell world. It said:
DO NOT wear any Obama shirts, pins or hats to the polls on Nov. 4th. It's considered campaigning; a law they're counting on us not to be aware of and turn u away.
By us, I'm assuming they mean the Democrats. So just like my inquisitive self that has to research everything I hear before I forwarding it on, I went to the Internet to do a little surfing for the truth.
The truth of the matter is that this is a law that varies by state and even by county. The laws state that you can not campaign within 500 ft (or whatever is may be in your area) of the polls. It is said that this gives an unfair advantage to the candidates. That's why, when you go to the polls, you see the candidate supporting signs away from the buildings, not right in front. T-Shirts, buttons, hats, stickers or whatever may have a candidates names on them are considered to be campaigning.
Not that I was planning on wearing a shirt declaring my pick for presidenct to the polls (although I have considered buying one), but I guess my question is, if it is considered unconstitutional to stop people from wearing their pants hanging down to their knees, why is is not unconstitutional to say what people can wear to the polls?
Do people really get in there and change their minds because "Oh, there's Sally Lou. And she has on a McCain (or Obama) shirt. I think I'm just gonna change my mind and vote for....." In a way that seems a little crazy to me. Is there something wrong with being proud of who you support? If you love someone, should it be a secret? Why should this be any different?
Or are they afraid that the person wearing these shirts could be harassed by members of the other party? Approached and paid off or scared off before they had they're chance to vote? Is it also for your own safety?
Now like I said, personally I won't be wearing my supporting shirt to the polls. The law is the law and I respect that and set examples for my children to do the same, but I will PROUDLY let anyone who wants to know who I support in this election.
So I don't know about all of you, but I'm not going to take a chance at wearing a silly shirt, a small symbol of my patriotism, to the polls, only to take the risk of being turned away. So whether you are on the REDS or the BLUES, it's more important to cast your ballot! And I don't know about you, but I refuse to give up my chance to let my voice be heard in one of the most important elections in out nations history!And that's just how I see it!
14 comments:
Hello Diva Ma, thanks for stopping by. This definitely is an election year unlike any I've experienced in my life. I found the "One Vote Isn't Enough" post, linked to my site, and yesterday I signed up to volunteer. Unprecedented for me. Pass on the word.
--MomZombie
Ooh, I think I'm gonna like Tell It Like It Is Tuesdays !
Rock the vote! lol
=0D
I did not know this. I did know that you couldn't campaign within so many feet of the polling place (it says so on the polling signs) but being turned away because of having a t-shirt supporting your campaign!!! That is plain craziness!
But considering how crazy this race is, it doesn't surprise me one bit!
Thanks for letting us know..I didn't have a clue... I surely wouldn't want to be turned away for wearing my pink and green McCain/Palin shirt.. I got it to wear to the watch party..
Thank you for stopping by my blog :) What an interesting law! I didn't even know. In a ways it makes sense if they are trying to protect people from being violently attacked or harassed by the opposing parties.
And I'm sure some people would find it annoying if campaigners are shouting in a voter's face who is closer than 500 ft from the polling facility.
At any rate, very interesting post! :)
i like......
Please tell me that is Not True.
I can't wait to vote and I can't understand how so many Americans don't. Are they lazy????....Stupid???? There's still people in this world that risk their lives to get a chance to vote.
I'm pretty sure if I walked in with an Obama shirt on I'd sway nearly half the McCain votes.
I'm THAT influential. ;)
I seriously didn't know this. Interesting. This election is amazing, isn't it???? On so many different levels.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Diva Ma - thanks for visiting yesterday :)
This doesn't surprise me one bit - I mentioned it to a friend of mine (She's in sales) and she said that she was told not to display any political stickers on her car because she sells to the government.
I feel you. I had some of the same questions when I first learned this.
So many rules and so few info sessions. I guess this really has never been a real issue since I damn sure can recall of any Bush t-shirts flying off the shelves, lol.
VERY good idea -- I like "Tell It Like It Is Tuesdays!"
Actually taking time to Vote IS more important than wearing your candidate's name. But, I do think it's a bit silly that it is "forbidden." Seriously, how many people walk in to the polling stations soooo undecided that they look to see what names are floating around in their line of vision?? It can't be that influential when it comes down to that final moment of voting!
By the way, thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement during my hurricane hiatus! I'm soooooo glad to be back. :)
ITA with your thoughts, but thanks for passing on the word because I would NOT have thought that what you wear (not that I planned on wearing any tshirts promoting either party) as a citizen would count as campaigning.
I think no matter WHAT political side one feels the most connected to or supportive of, this is TRULY an election year like no other.
I'm glad it is bringing people to the poles who previously didn't even participate.
Hmm, that's very interesting. It certainly has been an interesting campaign season this time around. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Post a Comment