Surprisingly, even here in polarized Northern Virginia where I live, there are still folks who haven’t made up their minds.
I’m doing all I can to help. I’m making calls, I’ve donated money. I fill out Donald Trumps surveys suggesting that he call Hillary “fat” and ask his followers why she isn’t home in the kitchen.
But the best tool I’ve found is this one:
People are asking me who I voted for. And they really want to know. And I don’t hesitate to let them know why I voted for Hillary.
To the guys in the gas station and the convenience store, I emphasized Hillary’s commitment to raising the minimum wage and the fact that the billionaire has never done anything except cheat working people out of the money they earned.
To the folks in the medical lab, I referred to Hillary’s commitment to science, to healthcare for everybody. Since they have such long working hours, I looked up where they too could vote early and encouraged them to do so.
To the affluent-looking folks in the grocery store, I emphasized the way the market react by falling through the floor whenever there is a hint that Trump is gaining. “Do you want his finger on the nuclear button — we live at Ground Zero — DC (and Northern Virginia) lives under one big target …
Wear your sticker. Talk it up. Don’t pick fights. Use humor however you can.
But everybody with an ounce of sense can help make sure that Wednesday is not the beginning of a long, terrible nightmare.
ELECTIONS MATTER
SO DOES YOUR VOICE
FiftyFourandAHalf 
My sister and I strut around with our beautiful black tote bags that have Hillary stitched in white in front. We make sure that people can see it while we are walking around no matter where we are. Weeks ago, when my car was in the shop after being struck one night by a bag of who-knows-what thrown out a window of a car on the highway (most likely by a Trumpelthinskin supporter). The radiator had to be replaced, so I got a rental car. While waiting for the guy at Hertz to lie to me again, I got into a conversation with a young guy who was also waiting. I don’t wait for the election to come up in normal conversation. I will find a way to steer any conversation that way. “Is that your adorable little girl? You must be very happy with Hillary since your daughter is covered by CHIP.” Don’t even ask how many young female grocery cashiers, fast food workers, receptionists and waitresses my sister and I have high-fived with after they have seen the Hillary bags. More than one have been reminded to vote early, and when we saw them again, they assured us that they did vote. You want to talk about enthusiasm? Talk to some young women about how excited they are that a woman is about to move into the Oval Office. Every one of them has worked for a boss like Trumpelthinskin, and they can see the future if, g-d forbid, he wins.
So many things anyone can do to help:
Talk to neighbors, friends, people you pass in the grocery aisles. There are always openings to bring up how awesome Hillary is and how awful Trumpelthinskin is.
Tweet. You never know. Something you say or retweet might be what convinces a fence-straddler.
Post on Facebook. You will probably get some blowback, but when the Trumpsters get nasty, come back with facts.
See if a neighbor needs a ride to polling places or just needs someone to bring their ballots to the mailbox.
Show your support, even if it’s just honking and waving at Hillary sign-wavers on the side of the road. It’s so invigorating to the sign-wavers.
It’s probably too late now, but for future reference–go to political rallies. They are fun, and it’s important to keep enthusiasm high. There can be other benefits, as well. I went to a pre-debate rally for Patrick Murphy a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know how many hours I held one half of a giant Murphy sign while an electrical union member held the other half. It must have been a long time, because I am pretty sure that I am a union member now. Go IBEW, Local 728! Where else but America could a girl who has trouble plugging and unplugging small appliances now be qualified to rewire your kitchen?
Just wanted to add a big thanks to folks like our lovely hostess Elyse and her lovely guests for their contributions to the cause. Thanks for making phone calls, knocking on doors and feeding volunteers. Even simply commenting online can be effective. You never know the one argument that might change someone’s mind. Carry on being awesome!
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The problem is that too many ‘tools’ are voting… HA!
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http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2016/11/02/congress-could-obsolete-if-clinton-wins/93161966/
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Thanks for your vote. Thanks for your help. Thanks for talking to people one at a time.
My contribution for the election day is to help feed volunteers and campaign workers for our GOTV. I don’t have any information at all yet. It sounded, when I spoke with the local organizer, that it would be ME dealing with food. Uh… Sure. Never let it be said that I can’t throw a party for a hundred people on short notice…
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That’s the spirit!!! Having spent many election days at campaign offices, I’d suggest sandwiches and veggies. Nothing carbonated or the volunteers will be burping into voters’ ears!
But it will be nice to know what how much, etc. it.
My field operator is exactly the opposite. She schedules everything to the minute. As a perennially late person it drives me nuts. Does it really matter if I get there at 12:30 instead of 12??
Good luck to us both/all‼️
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Yes, real food, not tons of cookies and sugar. I don’t like that stuff that much, anyway! Sandwiches (pulled pork), maybe soup (probably vegetarian), veggies, hummus and pita chips, cheese and crakas… stuff like that. But yeah, tell me how many! And PLEASE tell me someone else is dealing with drinks! 😉
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Soup would be messy. I’d stick with non messy sandwiches. The folks will probably not stop to eat and will need clean-ish hands!
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We’ve done soup before. If it’s thick enough, with small bowls, it works fine. And the food is for after their shift. 🙂
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Also, you’re likely not the only one doing this. So pick a number if they can’t tell you for sure! We are wolves and everything gets eaten!
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I don’t know that I’m not the only one. The organizer implied I might be. uh… I just texted her, asked for more info. We’ll see. Thanks as always.
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Good luck!
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Well, I could try talking to people to convince them to vote for Clinton, but then they’d complain that the Russians are trying to influence the election.
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Da
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My sister-in-law has surgery on Monday and will be in the hospital until at least Wednesday a.m. We are working to get her an early voter ballot. Fingers crossed.
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that’s a pretty good excuse! I used it in 2008.
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I hope it works. My bro has been working on this for 2 weeks.
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I just read this article. Some of these links might help you.
https://www.statnews.com/2016/11/04/hospital-vote-election/
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Nice! Why are all my bloggy friends with her, and my friends In Real Life aren’t? P.S. I especially approve this message because I am originally from Falls Church, VA 🙂 Carry on, Sista.
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You’re certainly brave. Aren’t you afraid the Trump gestapo will come looking for you after the election?
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I worry a bit but really after all my blog posts, I figure I’m toast anyway! 💩🍞
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I’ve made a few posts myself. Guess I’ll be seeing you in the concentration camps.
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Yup. We’ll be in the gulag.
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We don’t have early voting or stickers, but I love your approach. And if anyone asks me, I’ll definitely tell them I’m voting for Hillary!
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I so agree, Elyse. I’m doing the same. And your approach of “short and sweet” is a great way to go.
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Go us! Go US! (I am loath to say US-A, though. That seems to be the way the other side hollers it!)
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Good work. I love the targeted messaging. I keep working this stupid blog (I will be happy when the election’s over for A LOT of reasons — assuming Hillary wins), and, like you, trying to knock people off one at a time. I don’t know that I’ve actually changed anyone’s mind, and I am scared about this election. I will be the one looking for the exits if it goes the other way.
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New Zealand is nice I hear … much like Connecticut only with more sheep and farther away from NYC.
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You will probably be delighted that you can stop all the research, too!
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