Jackson Free Press

I have something to get off my chest. I'm frightened to admit it in such a public forum; I'm still only able to whisper it to myself. In fact, when I finally worked up enough courage to tell The Boyfriend about this previously undisclosed fact, I considered it immediate terms for break-up and instantaneous commencement of speaking very badly about me to everyone he knew.

I've previously written horribly embarrassing things about myself and never batted a fake eyelash. I've talked about bodily functions, my ideas concerning the long-range marketing capabilities of Jessica Simpson's breasts, and ruminated about my ability to drink margaritas until I passed out and woke up married. But this one thing, I held close to my vest. This, I knew, was truly and irreparably unattractive. And—just as much as I knew that—I knew it would one day have to come out.

As it turns out, my great revelation only took the nudging of three glasses of wine and five days without heat in our new home. Being drunk and freezing will make one believe Jesus is headed this way sometime soon and that it might be prudent to go ahead and dump all those long-held secrets. But, if I'm going to be totally honest here, I will admit that this wasn't information I volunteered freely, even with the fear of Jesus in me. It was only prompted by The Boyfriend first sharing the fact that he actually took a picture of the TV screen after reaching his highest Millipede score while playing Atari in 1987. In fact, he still owns the Polaroid. It was then that I knew this man might stay with me after I told him my secret—if only for the blackmail possibilities already on the table.

I sat on the couch in my very sexy flannel pajamas, screwed up my face and muttered, "I've never actually registered to vote." I then prepared myself for the onslaught of incredulous questions and shattering of previously held good opinions that were to follow.

After all, The Boyfriend knows me. And to know me is to know all 300,526 of my opinions concerning today's current political situations. I fully expected him to demand a check for the time he's spent listening to me pontificate on them. And then, after all this wasted anxiety, he had the nerve to not be surprised. Turns out he wasn't surprised because he hasn't voted, either. It was then that I realized both of us were victims of a larger phenomenon.

Yes, I'm 30, and I've never voted. I've written about politics, screamed about the outcome of elections, and almost been arrested for civil disobedience picketing the Legislature's decisions that I did not agree with—but I've never voted. I'm embarrassed. I'm ashamed. But, most of all, I'm just sort of disgusted with myself. Maybe this is my "new" thing this year. Being honest about all the things I do that really aren't well thought out. Maybe it's just me getting older and realizing some things need to change.

For years I told myself there was a practical purpose to never registering to vote. There is that whole "getting out of jury duty" thing. One day I started thinking jury duty might be cool. I knew then that I was getting older and there wasn't a damn thing I could do to stop it. It was the day I looked up and realized—despite heavy doses of glycolic acid—that I am getting older.

"What if I get sick?" I started asking myself, "What if I can't get a home loan? What if I lose my job? What if I can't afford to send my unborn children to private school?"

It isn't only my new fascination with comfortable shoes and the completely non-useful interior decorating items littering my living room that scream "over 30." The side effects of my advancing age have also integrated into my ideas about taking an active part in what is going on in this country. And, well, if I truly have no say in the effects of the gravitational pull of the Earth on my boobs, I might as well start altering the things over which I do have some control—like the people currently in charge of this country.

I am the "young voter" that came out in droves in Iowa and New Hampshire. I am the reason the poll predictions were incorrect. I am hanging on to one end of the age group that has finally decided that we have had enough and who realize that becoming engaged in the political process outside of empty opinions is far more important to our future than anything else.

Now, I want to be counted. Now, I want to be part of the population that contradicts all the "predictions" for this year's election—however it may turn out. Now, I want to stop being so damn "special" and start being more typical. Dr. Spock, be damned!

In the meantime, I'm doing what a lot of other Americans my age are doing: I'm living in sin with my boyfriend; I'm watching CNN; I'm reading Web sites; I'm writing on my blog. I'm working at my job; and I'm finally registering to vote.

If things work out according to our diabolical plan, we might just see some change around this place.

Previous Comments

ID

75868

Comment

I like it when you call us young. Do it again. Slowly.

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-01-16T18:40:45-06:00

ID

75869

Comment

The GOVERNMENT thinks we are young, Em, that is ALL that matters. Repeat after me.... 30=YOUNG VOTER 30=YOUNG VOTER When I read it my boobs perked up. I swear.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-01-16T22:15:55-06:00

ID

75870

Comment

Dude, my history teacher MADE us register to vote our senior year of high school. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would be registered at 30 now, either. And I too am excited to be considered a YOUNG VOTER. I just wish I could get more excited about the options this year...

Author

music chick

Date

2008-01-17T10:53:49-06:00

ID

75871

Comment

Lori G, welcome to the VOTERS CLUB. We always welcome new member: It doesn't matter how long it took you to register. The good news is that you are and it is better late than never. At least you were not speaking out against voting as some people do; young and old. Hang in there and keep up the good work. See ya at the polls next election; maybe March, maybe November. LOL

Author

justjess

Date

2008-01-17T11:22:56-06:00

ID

75872

Comment

Glad you could join us, Lori. :-) If you take a look at this recent blog entry I made, you'll see that it's never too late.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-01-17T17:15:59-06:00

ID

75873

Comment

Shame, shame, shame. We should run you off to Iceland or somewhere. Please leave our country. Actually, at least you didn't specifically participate in hurting people by not voting. You didn't vote for any repugnants. Smile.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2008-01-21T16:28:48-06:00

ID

75874

Comment

Please leave our country. Giggle. I just adore y'all hoolums. (Hoodli?)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-01-21T17:08:12-06:00

ID

75875

Comment

Ray-I swear, you are getting funnier and funnier. I will use that as my new reasoning "At least I didn't vote for Melton!"

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-01-22T18:07:39-06:00