During my time on Whyville I have run in a total of three Senate Races. I've created the signs, sent the y-mails, gathered the supporters, and attempted to snatch the coveted senate wreath. Like most of you know, I was successful in two of my attempts, but my first was not necessarily a fail. Another thing most of you all know is that the Senate Races don't always go as smoothly as planned, or as quickly as desired. But, one thing I bet most people don't remember, was the Senate Race held in the fall of 2009. Or, should we say, the race that to this day has never been won.
Once upon a time there was a Senate Race much like the one currently taking place. The announcements were made throughout Whyville that the current senators were to be replaced within the upcoming months, and the citizens got as excited as ever for the chance to throw their hat into the ring. I can remember cruising down the road in my scion holding a good ole game of boot and overhearing some citizens talking about it. I remember ditching them all at Waterfall and scribbling out a rough draft of my senate platform.
Like most citizens, I had ideas of what I would like to see on Whyville, and I was determined to make them happen. I had seen the other senators around Whyville and yearned to be in their spot participating in senate meetings and basking in the glory I thought they possessed. I idolized the senators and their "power", and was confident I had what it took to be a senator, too.
With the help of my friends Bibi4evr, Cathris, and Lollie15, I passed out signs to citizens in the various chat rooms, and I tried to let people know about my campaign. I was overwhelmed when I realized people were actually interested in what I wanted to bring to Whyville. At that moment in time, things appeared to be at an advantageous high point; I was going to do it! I was going to become a senator!
Things went slightly downhill as voting started and I realized other citizens had been campaigning just as much as I was, if not more. My votes were definitely higher than some peoples', but I had several opponents whose votes were tallying quicker than my own. For some strange reason I do not fully understand to this day, I decided to dress up as Luigi from the "Mario Bros" and campaign even harder. I spent my entire weekend at the poll booth attempting to catch voters before they could turn in their vote. The best part of my campaign was that it was working.
By the end of voting week, I had racked up the sixth highest amount of votes, and this could only mean one thing; I was moving on to the next round! It would be a vast understatement to say I was excited at this point, and there wasn't much that could stop me from picturing a senate wreath upon my head.
I waited the next week for a y-mail announcing I had made it to the next round of the competition. I y-mailed several of the other candidates and asked if they had heard any word from the City Workers, but they had not received any y-mails either. Another week passed and the nonexistent speed of the Senate Race was becoming increasingly worrisome. Why wasn't anything being done? What were the City Workers so busy with? Why wasn't the race continuing?
One month later, the race was as dead as ever. There were no results. There were no new senators. There was nothing but a race people wondered about, then pushed aside in their minds to squash bitter feelings. A year later, the race was nothing but a moment of history no one wanted to remember. Especially the candidates.
We had worked our tails off trying to become senators, and the fact the race was discontinued was very upsetting. It didn't make sense why the other senators got such long terms while us other candidates didn't even get a chance. We had done so much work and put so much time and effort into chasing our Senate dreams, and no one seemed to care.
This is how the current senate candidates feel. They understand being a City Worker is hard work, but they don't understand why an hour of someone's time cannot be put into tallying the final votes, writing a BBS post, and satisfying dozens of citizens. They don't understand why this race has to be prolonged while the current senators get an extended term. The current candidates did just as much work as the current senators, if not more to clench their spots. And what for? Nothing.
They have done all the work and deserve a chance as senator. All seven of them do - not just the ones who continually bring it up in the BBS or even those who received the highest amount of votes. Anyone having to wait months to find out their fate in the senate race deserves an explanation, but better yet, results.
So please City Workers, finish what you have started. Any of you - it doesn't matter to us which one delivers the news. There is a high chance we will love you forever.
-Overdue Senator who needs to be returned
