From the time I was old enough to vote I was told “my vote matters.” I have voted in every state and national election since I turned 21. My first chance to vote was in 1972. Having returned home from my time in the Army I had a definite opinion on whom I was voting for.
I came home as part of Richard Nixon’s early Vietnam troop withdrawal program in the spring of 1970. My early withdrawal saved me 6 days in country. As the plane taxied down the gun-ship lined runway the pilot played a song by Country Joe & The Fish, "Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die." When the wheels were up there were cheers and tears as we all knew our time in hell was over.
Our plane was filmed as we arrived at SEA-TAC International Airport in Seattle as part of Nixon’s plan. As we were ushered to buses to transport us to the local Army base annex for a hot shower, physical, new uniforms, breakfast and a plane ticket home we were met with protesters that booed us, held anti-war signs and showed us in their special way we were #1.
Music has always played a role in my life and certainly cements moments and events in my mind. I often say “a song can take me to a certain place in time” and in those years it certainly did. As I’ve written before my personal favorite song all time is ”For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield. It represented the time and events I was experiencing in my life then and still applies to life today.
Another favorite is a 1969 song by Creedence Clearwater Revival “Fortunate Son.” Ironically the current president uses the song, without permission, at his rallies. Obviously music doesn’t carry the same meaning for him.
Voting today reminds me a lot of the 1972 election. The president at the time, Richard Nixon, was known for his corruption and mishandling of the Vietnam War. There were protests in the streets against the war and civil rights issues. Nixon wasn’t afraid to send in troops to settle issues. A 1971 hit that spoke of the times was "Ohio" a chilling depiction of 4 Kent State students shot and killed on campus by National Guard soldiers for protesting the Vietnam War. Another late '71 song by Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” played like a script for the times.
So here we are two weeks from one of the most important election in my life and so many events seem a lot like when I cast my first vote. We have a president known for corruption, lies, bullying his opponents and the mishandling of a pandemic the likes not seen in this country in over 100 years. We have protesting in the streets for civil rights (still). We have a government so opposed to doing what seems right for the people while trying to maintain their power.
As with most times I took a step back and played music to put things into perspective. As I looked at the candidates up and down the ballot I found it easy to choose those I think that can bring this country back together. As I filled out my absentee ballot I played a 1967 hit by The Youngbloods, “Get Together.” A song about working together, “come on people, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another.”
Yes, I cast my vote for candidates I believe can return our country to the one I obviously took for granted all these years. I’d never have guessed we could become so divided, so filled with hate, so divisive that we could actually plot to kidnap a governor or kill one another.
How did we get here? Why are we here?
I have an opinion and I voted against those reasons.
As has been in the story of my life a song came along that will put me at this very place in the future. The 2020 Demi Lovato hit “Commander in Chief.”
Don’t forget your “VOTE MATTERS!”
Whether by absentee ballot or in person VOTE.
10.20.2020
Music Videos for the times:
For What It’s Worth…. https://youtu.be/biU02GNcZDU
Ohio.... https://youtu.be/TRE9vMBBe10
Commander In Chief…. https://youtu.be/biU02GNcZDU
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