As Citizen Voices Bloggers, we agreed to appear on These Days periodically, as part of the job description. For this week's segment I was "encouraged" to go out into the community (my neighbors, co-workers, etc,) to find out how people were feeling about the presidential race, take an informal poll, and report my findings as part of the Wednesday morning show.

Asking people you know about their political beliefs is kind of like asking them about their sex life.  It can feel invasive, and being a private person myself, (at least I was before I got this blogging gig,) and since my neighbors and I have maintained a respectful avoidance of this subject... them with their McCain/Palin signs and me with my Obama/Biden signs, I didn't want to scratch the illusion of tolerance by actually talking to them.  So I did the only reasonable thing... I coped out.

In the spirit of non-scientific inquiry, I got in my car and drove as far away from my neighbors as I could, looking for random victims. I sampled opinions at the community gym, (where both TV's are usually tuned to Fox), Farmer's Market, Dog Beach, a hair salon, and a political forum.  I sent emails to friends, colleagues, and relatives.   Some of my face-to-face contacts at first declined to answer my questions, but when I said "okay", and started to walk away, they usually followed me to tell me what they thought anyway.

The first day of polling was not good news. I encountered a large number of people who had (1) not registered, (2) not paid attention, (3) said they would ask other people or their church how to vote, (4) didn't know anything about the issues. I heard excuses like "I have kids, I have to work, I don't have time to read the paper."   Seems like raising kids might be one of the premier reasons to care about who will run this country in the coming years.

When I sat down to write about the Mayoral race in Coronado, I thought I was going to tell a story of five dedicated public servants who wanted to serve their fellow townspeople.  Traditionally, local Coronado political races have been non-partisan with the common goal being the good of the community.  Factions haven't always agreed; and as in nearly every community in America, balancing development against the quality of life for the residents has been an issue.

In researching this race, however, I have witnessed so much elitist economic profiling, gay baiting, Rovian Disinformation, religious crusading, greed, smugness, and blatant grandiose posturing, I find there is enough material for a pulp novel. Throw in Loyalty Oaths from the San Diego County Republican Party and you've got a sad story about the destruction of civic health of a small town.

Several weeks ago, I decided to call my African American friends across the country -- some of whom I hadn't seen in years.  I was shocked to learn how many of them, especially those old enough to remember 1968, were very concerned for Obama's well being. Since I had not lived their lives, I knew my arguments held very little weight with them, and I sensed they were figuratively "patting me on the head as a well meaning but basically naïve little liberal."  They feared he would be asked to pay too great a price and they let pragmatism bury their optimism. Perhaps Obama's acceptance speech last night has put their fears to rest, and they are able to embrace the hope that I feel.

My heritage is English, French, Scotch-Irish, Danish and German.  I doubt that there is a drop of Black blood flowing in my veins, but in my heart I am so thrilled, so thrilled...for what this country has done.   Yes I'm also a woman of Hillary's generation and I am gratified that she was an oh so serious contender.   The next time I truly believe it will be a no-brainer -- a woman can and will be a candidate.  A woman can and will be President.

But, here we are, and just look at the changes Obama's candidacy has already wrought.  I don't mean to sound presumptuous to say I sense a soul-deep pride among blacks of all ages. I see evidence all around me- at my swimming pool, at my gym, in my church, in a predominately conservative town...(really...I know we have 2,500 registered Democrats in Coronado, but I drove up and down every street and it's true...we actually DO have the only Obama yard sign in town.)   But yesterday, I noticed a young African American working out at the Community Center. He was the only one of his race among a sea of white, but he carried himself with such dignity, the epitome of self-containment.  His time has indeed come.   

I really didn't spend much time worrying about the alcohol ban at San Diego beaches since I've learned that if you are discreet enough, no one really cares. Of course I'm one of your middle-aged mother types so I am in that group that basically goes unnoticed by law enforcement.

All that changed on the morning of July 4th. I awoke at 5 a.m. to walk in the Coronado Independence Day 5K Run/Walk, and instead of the fog softened silence I expected, I heard the steady drone of engines, subwoofers, slamming trunks and car alarms. Staggering out onto my deck with a cup of coffee, I was astounded to see hundreds (thousands?) of cars parked as far as I could see. An army of people was already marching toward the Silver Strand State Beach, which is across the road from my home.

My first thought was how early these people must have gotten up in order to secure a place on the beach. I didn't realize that the Silver Strand State Beach had been publicized as the last alcohol friendly beach in San Diego.

Don't think for a moment that we have a political respite until Election Day. In these next 143 days, history can be made and every hour counts until America goes into the booth to cast her vote.

Though voter turnout is predicted to be higher than in any election since 1972, only 27 percent of the population is estimated to have voted in the primaries. Now is the time to get the rest of the disenfranchised registered, educated, and motivated.

The outcome in November will dictate whether we as a culture will progress into the future, with a chance to regain the world's respect and good will, or remain mired in a pattern of decline, falling behind China and the European Union as a world power. We Americans have been lulled into thinking things will "sorta be ok" in America no matter what.

Well folks, things are not ok... thanks in great part to a corrupt self-serving administration that may still destroy America.

What we are up against now is an onslaught by "swiftboaters" and their clones, the likes of which we have never seen. It is up to us, the "regular people," to combat those assaults by looking beneath the surface, educating ourselves, and spreading the word.

One of the most contentious debates in Coronado is whether or not the city council has the right to build a permanent lifeguard facility on Coronado beach without voter approval.

Proposition A was initiated by an unincorporated association of property owners and Coronado residents who are asking voters to Vote Yes on Prop A which reads: "Shall the Land Use Plan of the City of Coronado Local Coastal Program be amended to require that prior to the construction or expansion of any permanent lifeguard facilities, restroom facilities, or bike paths on the Coronado Beach the City Council must first receive voter approval?"

Proposition B, initiated by the city, reads: "In the event that Proposition A shall be approved by a majority of the Voters of the City of Coronado, shall the construction of the Lifeguard Public Safety Service Building at Coronado Beach be approved?"

In other words, Prop B is an attempt to construct this particular structure even if Prop A is passed.  Confused?  Of course you are. As with most initiatives it is hard to know how to make sure you are actually voting the way you want to, because the wording is so convoluted, it would be easy to vote against your intended outcome.