Brave New World

Same old. Same old. Not a lot new to think about; or perhaps it's just too early to think. The coffee is made and the cat is in. Cat wrestling was brief and I like to think I won, though Boo called it a draw and wants a re-match. Don't we all?

That brings the election to mind. Now that we have voted, I'm quite ready for the whole thing to be over with. Although it is scary, it must be faced and now would be a good time to do it. What else can the candidates say? Or will say? And so this thought came to mind; of an election in the future where all ballots are emailed in. Or simply completed on your pc. And we would have a few weeks to do this. Those without pc's could go to the library and use theirs. The results would be declared on the same day in November that we usually use and it could be a great television spectacle for the masses to enjoy. A Master of Ceremonies would declare voting over with in all of the states. The stage props would include a huge spinning wheel with all of the states names on it. Wait! Even better; a large globe filled with whirling ping pong balls. Each ping pong ball would have a state name on it and a ball would be chosen at random. Just like Lotto! When the name is called out, the MC would pull a huge lever and the background prop of large spinning gears would spring into motion. (simulation only – a lone computer would be doing the actual counting) Tension would build until the gears finally came to a rest and the winners and losers names and the votes for that state would be posted next to a tall thermometer device; blue for Democrats and red for Republicans. As each states name is called, the moving column within the thermometer would rise, until, finally…a winner would be declared and the stage would erupt with rockets and flags would be waving in the air.

Did I mention that the candidates would be on the stage and the TV cameras could focus on their faces as the results are being read for each state. Such drama! Voting booths? Who needs them!

I just thought of one more benefit. Sponsors. 'This election brought to you by the Ford family of fine automobiles'. Corporations would pay big bucks to have their logos on the gears or the ping pong balls. Throw in half a dozen 30-second spots and this could be bigger than the Super Bowl. Might even help to pay off the national debt.

That was fun. I always enjoy a little bit of fantasy. And voting is all fantasy anyway. We might as well make it into a diverting spectacle for the masses. Though some might worry that their votes weren't being properly counted. Let them worry. How do they know their votes are being counted now? They have a cardboard receipt? Heck, I can give you one of those.