A Close Encounter with the Election Ghost

It was the night of October 31st 2020. With elections in two days I had to get moving to get my ballot ready. I was anxious about elections and their consequences. As the election day approached my anxiety levels kept going higher. I heard in the news today that the polls are saying Biden is up by 12 points that just made me even more anxious. After 2016 it's hard to trust polls. I sealed my ballot, signed it and went to bed early. 

Suddenly I woke up in the middle of the night and then I saw a someone with a flashlight approach my bed. That was a shock did someone break into my home ? But my dog sleeps right there and is fast asleep. 

He came closer to my bed and was carrying one of those camping flashlights in his hand. This stranger had a bland looking face, very serious and was dressed in all black which was creepy. 

" Who are you ? " : I asked. 

He sighed and said : " I am the ghost of the elections past and I have come here to answer your questions "

" Did I make a mistake in my ballot am in trouble ? "

" No you are not in trouble and your ballot looks fine. Your anxiety levels are through the roof, hence I am here "

" So I can ask you anything about the elections ? "

" Yes anything about past elections within reason. But make it quick I have many more people to visit "

" Why do we have an electoral college ? "

" Your founding fathers debated for months on a hard problem to resolve : how to elect the president ? Some argued that congress should pick the president and others are insistent on a democratic popular vote. Their compromise is known as the electoral college. There is an aspect of racism where slaves counted as 3/5 of a person but that's a story for a different day "

" Senate is not democratic as small states get the same number of senators as large ones ? "

" The design of the Senate is undemocratic and it's baked into constitution. The smaller states staged a walkout unless they got equal representation as big states. Madison and the big states compromised to pass the constitution. The only way to fix the senate would be by trashing the constitution and starting fresh. "

" Come on that's not fair "

" Yup that's by design a system created with many compromises. I am heading out the next ghost will be from future .... " 

....

" I am the ghost from future of elections. Do you have any questions for me ? "

" Wait you are the same ghost from elections past ? "

" That's right, we have staffing issues. We are not getting enough qualified candidates to take up the jobs. Who wants to work all night with no benefits, wages have been the same for eons and these uniforms are so dated. Working in dark all the time can drive anyone crazy. "

" How can we make our elections fair and represent the will of the people ?"

" Rank Choice Voting is a good method to get better representation when compared to the current system. It's especially useful in crowded elections where margins of victory are small. The winner of these elections has to get more than 50 % of votes cast. It ensures that the candidate with broadest appeal wins. Dude I have many more people to disturb, this is your last question "

" Who is going to win the election tomorrow ? "

" aha a I knew you would ask this one. Telling you answer to that is above my pay grade. Here is my piece of advice to you before you head out to the polls - wear a mask !!! "

I woke up with a start, it is early morning and I need to head out to the polls. That was a crazy dream.

35% of Americans think there will be a civil war with this election. Let's not have a civil war with Trumpers we are no good at war and they are no good at being civil. 

 

The Farmers Market

It was a beautiful sunny day in Fremont. I walked up to the local farmers market to purchase fresh produce. The market was in full bloom it was bustling with people. There was so many stands with rosy apples, lovely peaches, pretty nectarines, strawberries, lots of fresh herbs and vegetables.  The vendors kept offering samples of yummy fruit. I purchased lots of produce, much more than what I needed. 

As I was about to wrap up in a corner of the market a vendor was selling apples. I took a sample of the apple from him. The apple tasted great this was seriously good stuff and I had to buy them. I looked around but could not find his stand. His eyes twinkled as he pointed me to go down a dark alley.

The alley was dark, mysterious with barely any light. When I came out on the other side it felt like an entirely new world. As I walked towards the store I saw a lady at the entrance. She looked exotic with unusual kind of dressing. She was ageless in you could not tell if she was young or old.

The lady smiled "Hello Akshay my name is Zorba. I have been expecting you".

This was startling as I am not exactly a famous guy. But I smiled and said "Can I purchase some of your delicious apples." 

Zorba smiled "ah the apples you seek are further inside the store". I followed her into the store, there deep inside on two marble pedestals lay a green and a red apple. Each of the apples was placed on the center of a cushion with a glass dome over them.

This piqued my interest, I turned towards Zorba and asked "Are these apples of a special variety ? "

"Yes they are special, VERY SPECIAL. The green apple gets you Fame & Fortune, the red one will gets you Happiness. You can only pick one of them. Which one should I pack for you ?" said Zorba.

I was lost for words that made no sense. But as a creature of habit I said : "Can I try a sample ?"

Zorba said : "You people are spoiled even for apples of fate you want samples ?"

I said : "Then how do I chose between them ?"

Zorba said : "Alright, I will show you a preview look at the mirror next to you. You ten years from now if you pick the green apple of Fame & Fortune."

There was a large old mirror with a gilded border around it. Suddenly the mirror came to life. There I saw myself much older dressed smartly in expensive clothes sitting in a private jet. I got off the jet and was surrounded by people asking for my autographs. I seem to handle my fame and fortune well. 

The scene in the mirror faded. I was in a mansion sitting next to a pool and butler brought me a drink. "Jeeves where is my wife."

Jeeves then politely replies "Sir if you wish to meet your ex-wife and son I could schedule a meeting with them for next year. This year your calendar is packed with important meetings".

Zorba then says " You win some you lose some, the price of success. Let's move on to the red apple of happiness"

The mirror faded and the scene changed. I was biking fast then a young man in another bike overtakes me. I lost the race but looked very happy. The winner turns to me : "you have to do better than that to win dad".
The scene fades  to be replaced by a scene in the middle of big gathering of people. The banners said Happy 50th Birthday. It was my 50th birthday party. I was surrounded by family, friends. They where having interesting conversations, laughter and having  a good time." 

Zorba says "You have now seen the preview of your life depending on the apple you choose. Now pick one carefully.  Once its done it cannot be undone"

I looked at both apples of fate, sighed and thought for sometime.  Who does not want to fame or success I was tempted to pick that one up. On the other hand I wanted to be happy too. 

I turned to Zorba : "Can I take half from the green and half from the red apple ?"  looking at her hopefully.

She laughed aloud "funny answer, but NO it does not work that way. You can pick one apple only. You cannot pick pieces of apples of fate"

As  a young person I would have picked the apple for Fame & Success anytime. But  as a parent my priorities had changed. I had matured as an individual and realized that fame and success are not everything. I thanked Zorba and walked away from the market with the apple for Happiness. I was happy with my choice.

In life there are no right or wrong answers. Everyone has to pick the path that makes sense to them. When you get to the point of life to make that decision  . . .  choose wisely.