VOTE

This is an off-the-cuff post today because as I was thinking about the impending presidential election on my morning commute (all eight minutes of it) and I needed to write about my obsession with the election. Truly, I am obsessed. And this is strange for me because, like a lot of things in my adult life, I was a late bloomer when it came to understanding and being involved in politics. I did not vote for the first presidential election I was eligible for (GASP! I know!) because I was too ignorant to make a decision. (At least I recognized my ignorance, unlike a lot of Americans - yes, that means you, crazy McCain rally lady!)

As a young adult, politics was right up there with the stock market - I had no understanding nor did I really want to take the time to gain it. None of it seemed to affect me in the least as I was studying in college and planning my future as the successful wife of an Amway distributor. (Thank GOODNESS I saw the light on that one early!) The issues confused me, no one seemed to be a reliable source and I couldn't bring myself to read all the newspapers or watch CNN for more than five minutes.

But gradually, as I entered the world and the workforce and began realizing that those in office really could affect how I live my life, I started to take notice. As soon as my rights as a human and as a woman were in jeopardy, you're damn right I started to take notice. As I learned more about the nearly irreparable damage we've caused the earth (again, you know how I feel about the polar bears), I began to take a greater interest in politics. When I couldn't stand to hear the voice of the leader of our country, when I had no respect for him or belief that he had the best interest of the American people in mind, I knew that I had changed and that it was time to grow up and become involved.

The buzz about this year's election is enthralling. Forecasts suspect the highest voter turnout ever in our nation's history. Two capable and respected Democratic leaders vied for the nomination to run, a woman and an African American. And now the two are a united front, a force to be reckoned with, a team of level-headed, fair, intelligent and worthy politicians.

I am filled with equal amounts of hope and despair. I'm afraid to have too much hope... I dream about the elections at night. I've lost sleep. I look forward to November 4th, yet at the same time I fear it. Like a final exam that I believe the American people can pass, but I'm not sure if those that have a vision can carry those that haven't done their homework.

My hope is sprinkled with cynicism too. I'm not so naive as to think that Obama will be able to carry out everything that he has promised. He's only one man and while he shines to me like a beacon of hope, I know that he is no magician, no messiah of the White House. But I respect him, and that, my friends, means a lot. Charisma, intelligence, class, Obama's vision closely resembles my own. No utopia by any means, but a world in which my rights are not questioned. A world in which our young people have access to better education. A world in which we produce cleaner fuels and more and better jobs.

So here we are now, just 17 days away from election day and I'm not going to urge you to vote for Obama (although I hope that you will), but I do urge you to VOTE. If you don't vote, you are giving up any and all power that you hold as a citizen of this country. If you don't vote, you get what you deserve. Would you let someone else decide for you what you were going to wear, where you were going to work, what you were going to have for lunch and what friends you can have - every single day for the next four years? Of course not. Then why would you let someone else decide how much of your hard-earned money will be taxed, what rights your sisters, mothers, girlfriends have as women, where your healthcare is coming from and how much it's going to cost?

Yes, you are just one vote, but as my wise-beyond-her-years girlfriend says "I am only one voice, but I will shout from the rooftops and bring forth the echo of thousands."

I will listen for your echo on November 4th.