November 6, 2002
Dear Everyone:
Politics makes for strange bedfellows indeed.
Last Monday, I got home to find a potted plant on my front doorstep. A plastic, four-inch pot containing one (1) rather wilted-looking snapdragon. And a handwritten card reading, “Thank you for considering me for State Assembly…” (The plant perked right up once I took it into the kitchen and gave it a quarter-cup of water.)
The potted plant was only one of the dozens of
pleas for my vote for just this one issue:
Who should represent district 15 in
Only a week before, I had seen a sign along the road for the Potted Plant Candidate’s worthy opponent. It read, “Prevent Leadership!” I considered the sentiment slightly negative, but gave it points for imaginative thinking. At least it got my attention. Then the wind shifted, and I realized what the sign really said was “Proven Leadership”, which is, in itself, debatable, plus not nearly as original as my previous assumption.
After all those “He Said, She Said” glossy, cardstock fliers, I had already made up my mind about this particular issue. There was no need to leave a foundling plant on my doorstep. On the other hand, it was the only issue concerning which I had made any decision.
On my way to work Tuesday morning, I noticed people standing by the side of the road, in the cold, gray light of dawn, waving “Yes/No on H!” signs. I honestly don’t remember if they were for or against this particular proposition; but my curiosity was piqued enough for me to dredge out that part of the Voters Pamphlet to find out what it was about.
Someone thought it would be a good idea if the city of San Ramon revised its election code to vote on even numbered years instead of odd numbered years. This one struck me as a no-brainer. By piggybacking onto the rest of the election process, the city could save money by not holding standalone elections.
However, hysterical opposition!!! Why? Because!!! Certain city officials would get an extra term!!! One they hadn’t earned!!! HORRORS!!! The world might well come to a screeching halt over this. I confess that I did vote in favor of the proposition, but didn’t concern myself enough to find out if it passed.
As for the other issues: Don’t ask me how I voted; I don’t remember.
Except for the Potted Plant Candidate. Regrettably, as of this evening, the Potted Plant Candidate lost 46.33% to 53.67%. “Prevent Leadership” prevails.
Now I’m left with the moral dilemma of what to do with the snapdragon. There’s a reason why all of my plants are silk. There’s less chance of over watering and/or under watering them.
If I leave the snapdragon in my kitchen, it will die from lack of light. If I put it outside, it will die from neglect.
I could give it to “Jeannie”, whose track-record regarding horticulture is slightly less lethal then mine.
Or I could take it into the office and leave it in the “kitchen/copy room” in hopes that someone will fall in love with it and adopt it.
Maybe I should post a notice: “Free to a good home…”
Anybody want a plant? Free shipping. No guarantee it’ll still be alive when it arrives.
Love, as always.
Pete
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