What price, democracy?

Today was early voting day in my city. Like many others, I take my right to vote seriously. It is an honor and a privilege for which many men and women have served and sacrificed. I cannot understand people who choose not to vote. It is not only the greatest right of American citizenship, it is our responsibility. Not to the candidates, or any administration, or political party, but to those very people who have put their lives on the line, and to their families who have made their own sacrifices for OUR rights.

That said, is there any limit to the time that one must sacrifice in order to vote? Today, early voting was available from 1-6 p.m. This was the line when I got there at 2:30 p.m.

After 40 minutes (at 3:10 p.m.,) I got out of the rain and turned the corner to find THIS line:

Once inside the building, the remainder of the line was easily four times longer than either of this pictures indicates. I stopped someone who had survived the line and was on their way out.

"Excuse me. May I ask how long it took you to get through this?"

"Sure. I got here 30 minutes before the doors opened (at 1:00 p.m.) "

"So, even though you got here early, it took you two hours and forty-five minutes to vote?"

"Yup. And when I got here the line was about half of what it is now. They only have four voting machines open."

Excuse me? This was the ONLY early voting location available in a town with a population of more than 46,000 people, where apparently everyone shared the same idea to vote early and avoid the line on Election Day. Only four voting machines open? All in favor of paper ballots, step forward!

After doing the math, trying to come to terms with the fact that I would have a FIVE-AND-A-HALF HOUR wait, I decided to leave and try my luck on Election Day. But next Tuesday, I will be prepared with a brown bag lunch (with thermos), a folding chair, my lap-top, a book, and an ipod.

I may make a few dozen bologna sandwiches and sell them for $4.00/each to the would-be voters on that day. Now THAT'S democracy! God Bless America.

(Photos are not of actual event but are designed to be representative of the moment.)