Happy Election Day!

Oh, all right, it may not be that happy, but it is the day to vote. There really is only one ballot measure I'm interested in. It will increase the hotel taxes in San Jose by 4% to help fund an expansion of the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. The working theory is that an expanded facility will boost the number of conventions, increase tourism, and juice the local economy. It sounds bold and far-sighted, but I doubt that 2/3 of the voters will approve the measure.

The great thing about a small town, like Morgan Hill, is the ability of candidates to still campaign on a more personal level. I was really surprised when a candidate running for the U.S. Congress actually came up to me and introduced herself and asked for my vote. I never recall that happening in San Jose. To see a candidate, you needed to go out of your way to meet them at a photo opportunity or rally.

One of my not-so-typical dreams has been to be a delegate at a national convention representing California. My other political dream is to be a campaign volunteer for a local senator or congressperson. Strange, I know, but it is a dream that I can still see becoming a future reality.