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The Pitter-Patter Of Democracy Is No Little Feat

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By Daniel Ruth

druth@tampatrib.com

Published: October 25, 2008

Sometimes rabid, vocal, vociferous demonstrators are fond of chanting "This is what democracy looks like!" as they march in the streets in opposition to war, or social injustice, or even inveighing against breast feeding.

Yes, I've actually witnessed protests against the La Leche League. America, it's a pip is what it is.

But democracy can also be found in tiny baby steps as thousands of people patiently wait in line agonizingly inching forward for hours to perform the ultimate exercise of citizenship - the simple, elegant, profound act of voting.

It was 9:15 on a recent morning this week at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library in North Tampa, but already more than 50 people were quietly waiting for the polls to open at 10 a.m. for them to vote early.

The queue had begun to form at 7 a.m. Some people obviously want to take no chances.

Elections officials statewide are noting that this year's early vote turnout is running as much as twice as large as in 2004.

As of this writing, Hillsborough County has seen more than 35,000 early ballots cast.

On this day at the Jimmie Keel Library, nearly 1,000 people would turn out to vote. By 10 a.m., when the polls opened, more than 150 of them were already in line.

Quiet Heroism

Standing in a group like a Busch Gardens crowd waiting to lose their lunch on some thrill ride isn't the sexy part of citizenship. Nor is it as dramatic as storming a beach, or sailing into the heavens on a rocket, or refusing to give up a seat on a bus - all noble deeds, to be sure.

What was going on here in the parking lot of a library was the quiet heroism of simple responsibility, the subtle courage of patience.

Young, old, black, white, Hispanic - they all stood and waited, and waited in a growing morning sun to express themselves with a modest piece of paper and pen.

There were senior citizens with their walkers and wheelchairs and canes.

Not Wild About Harry

In front of me, a woman of some ... maturity, recalled her very first presidential vote - for Franklin Roosevelt. She wasn't crazy about Harry Truman.

As he neared the door of the library, an elderly man fainted. Elections officials called for an ambulance, but not before he was allowed to move to the head of the line so he could cast his ballot.

Maybe this heightened interest in voting early is a factor of the intensity of this year's presidential campaign. Or maybe it is a response to our beloved state's reputation, fairly or not, for being seemingly incapable of chewing gum and voting at the same time.

Or maybe they are simply sick of all the cheesy commercials.

For so long, this country has suffered with an image of being the most powerful nation of the face of the planet, populated by citizenry indifferent to its obligation to vote for its leaders.

What a sad commentary when developing countries have had higher voter turnout rates than the United States.

It took almost an hour to finally vote.

But as I left the Jimmie Keel Library, the line had grown longer and was growing still.

This is what democracy looks like.

Keyword: Book of Ruth, to read and comment on Daniel Ruth's blog.

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