I had moved back to Illinois in September of 2002 and after the Afghanistan War was started that following November, I started listening to NPR, we were a nation at war and it was time to pay attention. I had just moved and IL Governor hadn't been arrested yet, it was the other one, not Blago. Anyway, I didn't vote and I didn't care. I had so many things going on, my mom & sister had just passed away and I had just moved from Florida. I didn't really expect what was to come politically or personally.
I met my husband, Tim, officially "IRL" in January 2003. We recently celebrated 12 years together and are coming up on our 3rd, Civil Union turned Marriage, Wedding Anniversary in May.
In March 2003, the United States of America invaded Iraq. I couldn't believe it. Over the previous months, Tim and I would debate the invasion. Tim watched ABC News with Peter Jennings as well as the local ABC News. Neither one of us were all that politically knowledgeable. My previous partner was reasonably politically savvy, watching McLaughlin and This Week but I had no interest in the screaming heads and as far as I was concerned, it didn't impact my life at all. Tim's previous lover worked for the local city government so he had a little bit more first hand knowledge of the workings of city government by virtue of his partner.
Tim nor I were politically motivated, I voted in Orlando in 2000 for Al Gore and I'm not sure if Tim voted for G.W. Bush the 1st time or not, probably. Our relationship was not based on our politics and Tim made it perfectly clear that he had no intention of being a "politician's wife". That's fine with me because I'm a behind the scenes type of person.
So let's get to some good stuff, over the years we have debated and discussed so many things. He knows I enjoy it and he tolerates my rants. The one thing that he won me over one was a "none of the above" option. Being a fan of "Brewster's Million's", I was familiar with the concept but didn't believe it was practical and would only serve to disrupt democracy not serve it. How prophetic a movie? One of the concepts promoted in this platform by our election team will be to find out how to ensure that a "No" or "None of the Above" or "Write In" option is available for every ballot seat that results in a single seat (no multi votes until we see how this really goes). Ironic that it has been a running joke for years, that if you actually let people voice their dissatisfaction they would vote, a large segment of this population is not represented at the polls because their candidate of choice is not there and they are forced a lesser of two evils. So my husband convinced me of something I held for years as impractical and satirical as a viable alternative that people actually wanted once you asked if they would vote that way.
The reality is this, we just need regulations. The "no" votes will simply serve as a public display that you are not forced to vote for any candidate and the politicians and parties know the level of support that actually exists for the elected representative. In most cases, the No will be in the minority and essentially make 2-way Races, 3-ways automatically so that people within the parties can voice their decent for their candidate without selecting the opposing party. In the event that the "no's" win, the county or whoever defines this at the state level will determine when the seat should be temporarily appointed until the next election or hold a special primary & election. If democracy is about having a voice in our representation, casting a vote for someone shouldn't be considered more valuable than a person casting a vote against, it's the act of voting that matters. This is our democracy.
Most importantly, I cannot express in words or deeds the gratitude and love that I have for Tim. He has shown me love that I have never before experienced, nor dreamed could ever be possible. He has never failed to be my protector or provide me comfort when I need it. He has always been their to guide me and instruct and never to dictate or order. He has provided for our 4 beautiful doggy-children that we have shared our lives with over the past 12 years. He has been by my side when I need it and always at my back giving me support and encouragement for anything that faces us. With neither of us knowing what faces us this coming year or next, I know that with Tim along my side, we will face it together.
This website and caucus initial formation is an original "Bob & Tim Production", what I don't think of he does and when we come together, it better than either of us could have hoped. I hope you agree.
Sincerely,
Bob Myers-Baltes
P.S. Tim - I hope I never let you forget how much you mean to me, I would be lost without your guidance. Nothing's gonna stop us now... I love you so much! Love, Me
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