There is so much that I could say... but I think I said most of it 4 years ago. Reading back over my pre-election sentiments for the 2004 US presidential elections, I find myself confronted with a blog post that comes deep from my heart, that I still love and that still is as heartfelt and topical today as it was in 2004. Perhaps you would like to re-read it -- or read it for the first time if you started visiting my blog after 2004. Don't worry, I'll still be here when you come back.
I am the Lorax
I think it is more true for this year and my candidate choice for this year than it was for John Kerry. The real difference in that election is that while I thought John Kerry was ok, I was really voting against George Bush. This year I find myself truly excited to be voting for Barack Obama. So excited that I am going to take Ms. Z with me when I go to vote tomorrow morning. It has become incredibly important to me that I be able to tell her that she was there when the great people of the US elected a truly great man to lead them for the next 4 years. That she was there to be part of history, even if only in a small way.
Not only that, but I believe that as the citizen of a country with a rich democratic heritage, it is my responsibility to help my children to understand and be a part of the democratic process. It is not convenient, really, to take a baby to a voting booth. I know she will not remember. But maybe as she gets older and she goes with me again and again, this first primordial voting experience will help deepen in her the understanding of how important it is to participate in selecting our country's leadership at both the local and national level.
There have been many eloquent voices speaking about why and how and who they vote for. This year, I'd like to point out Carolyn's rationale for why and how she votes. I think it's well written and beautifully stated and contains some very useful information, to boot.
I don't vote my tax bracket
Vote, my friends. Vote carefully and with thought for what you want the next four years to look like.
*Updated: I corrected the link to my old post. Thank you Holly!
I am the Lorax
I think it is more true for this year and my candidate choice for this year than it was for John Kerry. The real difference in that election is that while I thought John Kerry was ok, I was really voting against George Bush. This year I find myself truly excited to be voting for Barack Obama. So excited that I am going to take Ms. Z with me when I go to vote tomorrow morning. It has become incredibly important to me that I be able to tell her that she was there when the great people of the US elected a truly great man to lead them for the next 4 years. That she was there to be part of history, even if only in a small way.
Not only that, but I believe that as the citizen of a country with a rich democratic heritage, it is my responsibility to help my children to understand and be a part of the democratic process. It is not convenient, really, to take a baby to a voting booth. I know she will not remember. But maybe as she gets older and she goes with me again and again, this first primordial voting experience will help deepen in her the understanding of how important it is to participate in selecting our country's leadership at both the local and national level.
There have been many eloquent voices speaking about why and how and who they vote for. This year, I'd like to point out Carolyn's rationale for why and how she votes. I think it's well written and beautifully stated and contains some very useful information, to boot.
I don't vote my tax bracket
Vote, my friends. Vote carefully and with thought for what you want the next four years to look like.
*Updated: I corrected the link to my old post. Thank you Holly!
Many people, here in France and in Europe are waiting for the results of these elections ! If Barack Obama is President of the U.S, you, american people, would show us the good way : not speaking but acting for intelligence, youth and recogition of the equal dignity of all human being.
From Norway I'd like to second Annie, the whole world is holding it's breath these days waiting for the outcome. It will affect all of us, Americans or not. And after this election, in a good way I hope.
I agree about the difference in feeling between voting for Kerry in 2004 and voting for Obama this year.
I can completely understand voting for the party or the issues, but I don't understand why this candidate is a great man. A good man, perhaps with a solid future to make a difference at some point, but standing upon nothing right now, other than a God-given gift of rhetoric. I'm not being a troll, I just don't see what makes this man great.
Remember those Magic Eye books? With the scrambled 3-D puzzles, and if you stared and squinted you could see an image "pop"? I could never see the hidden picture. I'm not seeing one now, for all the looking.
God bless both candidates, their families, and us.
Re: taking your daughter with you to vote. Years ago, I read some book in which a character says that to build a bridge across a river gorge, first you throw a boulder into the stream. Perhaps that boulder is swept away, but eventually, one sticks, then another, until the rocks build up enough to form a bridge. I think that is how the child's brain forms memories - the foundation is built up bit by bit , unseen but there. So yes, it is VERY important to take your daughter with you. Re: the outcome of today's election - scared but hopeful, volunteering performed, contributions sent, no stone unturned, a night's worth of knitting set up by the TV, coffee pot at the ready!
I just wanted to let you know that you've linked to Carolyn's blog post where I think you meant to link to your 2004 Election Day post.
I don't vote my tax bracket either. I'm excited to vote for Barack Obama the way that I was excited to vote for Bill Clinton. I am hopeful that today will be a wonderful day. I'm not thinking what I'll do if...
This is my daughter's first presidential election, but it's not her first election. "Buttons" remembers the last election well enough to ask if she can ride in the baby swing (which I carried her in the first time I took her). She's 4, so we'll take the stroller, books, snacks and a blanket, but we'll be there.
Great post! I have great faith that the American people will make the right choice this year and we can, again, be proud of our President!
Please, God.
This election is my first time voting FOR a candidate instead of AGAINST a candidate, and what a difference it makes in how I feel about voting! I'm not much of a patriot, but today I feel good about being American.
Good post. I never even consider my tax bracket when I vote. I do take into account intelligence, thoughtfulness, and consideration for others. (When did intelligence in our leaders become a bad thing?) I vote for people who need an extra voice.
So many nods and lumps in my throat here. I too took my toddler son with me to vote today. I voted for him and with him. I hope he'll be proud of me, of my country, and will know how important voting is. More than anything, I want the promise of this election to bear out. I want the turning point our nation needs.
I remember your post of four years ago. After many years in this country, I became an American citizen last year. Today I voted in my first American presidential election. I voted with the hope that the heavy lid that has fallen on this country seven years ago can finally be lifted -- a lid of depression, fear, indifference, lack of involvement. These are emotional days; we need to learn again how to be optimistic.