i voted

it's funny how we're still being rewarded with stickers if we do something good. i would think adults were a little beyond this practice, but it seems that people are into it, because i get the feeling that if you don't have a sticker, you are automatically less cool...

i probably shouldn't be surprised that reward and bribery have their place in making one prone to care about their civic duty. i was on the bus at the beginning of the school year and saw an advertisement from the UT police department reading "Report a crime and receive a free pizza from UTPD." i was appalled by the thought that someone would report a crime for pizza instead of reporting a crime for justice. but maybe that's just me...i like justice and having a voice. i also like pizza.

other than stickers, businesses are giving away free things. starbucks is giving away coffee--and i will be getting some. ben and jerry's is giving away ice cream. free bus rides from cap metro. a krispy kreme doughnut. tattoo removal? basically everything that i need to get by for one election day in austin...

i like to think about why people vote. living in a neighborhood where the majority of the people vote, it's easy to get excited and feel like things might change. then again, i think about the fact that i live on the little island of austin, so it's easy to forget the rest of the state i'm surrounded by. some people get angry, and they vote or they don't vote. some people are just ready to move on from the past. some show up at every election to vote, because they feel they have a civic responsibility. i'm excited about this election because i feel like it's getting so many people involved. everyone from all angles, showing up to vote, because it seems to be important this time. that and plus, they really want a free sticker and cup of coffee...