I was inspired by you, Kacy. I voted today. Well, OK not today. In Oregon, we vote by mail - everyone votes by mail, so there really are no polls. It is great for its convenience (I voted for last Friday in my PJs on the couch with my wife) but not so great in the sense that there is no sense of showing up to be counted and no free sticker that entitles you to free donuts and free hot chocolate at various places. Bummer. Originally the plan was to have the voting be a family activity and talk about why we vote and teach the kids about civic duty. Then the kids were hellions that day and went to bed early and we were exhausted and I am sure I ate something fattening and then we watched the Amazing Race. Its all part of the primrose path, my friends..But I voted. And I voted for Obama. I like his message of hope and change. And I really believe (if he wins) that there is some truth in there and that it won't just turn out to be political rhetoric. I like his stance on health care, and on education and the environment. This is the first election I have really been informed in, and I loved it. I like feeling like I am part of something.
I feel like in our PC world, sometimes we feel like we can't say who we are voting for. Because that would encourage discussion, which might lead to debate, which would lead to contention and woosh there goes the spirit. But isn't politics all about discussion and debating and challenging ideas? I was afraid to tell my mom who I was voting for for fear of the debate that would ensue. Then lo and behold, she is an Obama supporter too!
So vote, if you haven't. And if you did, be proud of it. And talk about it. And ask other voters why they voted. Toby Ziegler always says that decisions are made by those who show up. So go show up, already.
Note: Most of my political understanding is shaped by Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler, and sometimes Sam Seaborne. So sue me.
