My Thoughts on Election Day

The United States is ready for another election but instead of telling you how to vote, or how I am going to vote, or why you should vote, I want to say how fortunate we are that we can vote. America has been through some very tough times this last decade or so, but we are still here united, regardless of political party or beliefs.

I do want to say a few things about the election, and my wish is not to offend any readers, just to state my view on the subject. I feel I have something worthwhile to say, and a nice venue to say it in. 

No matter who wins tomorrow I will have respect for our next president. Over the last four years I have heard President Obama referred to as "Obummer" and "Obamba," or worse. It is unsettling and wrong. It is un-American. These names were used weeks after the election, not enough time in my opinion to have gathered a true and fair opinion of his work ethic or abilities in leading this country. I have always found President Obama to be a kind and hard-working man. Perhaps his biggest fault was trying too much too soon. He had progressive ideas, and sometimes progressive tends to frighten people. It took a long time to end slavery, to allow women to vote, to bring forth equal rights for all people regardless of race, religion or sexual gender, but we finally came through and we are proud of getting over the hurdle. The biggest impression I have of Obama as our president is that he is a good father and husband. I never knew what it was like to have a real father. I feel like I know now. I love President Obama for that. 

If he doesn't doesn't win the election tomorrow night I will be sad for one thing: that the time and work he gave will not receive its full credit. They said he was evil, that he wasn't an American citizen, that he did not earn his degree, that he did not even write the beautiful books he wrote. It will be a bitter pill to swallow when folks say goodbye and good riddance, you didn't deserve your presidency, you were the worst president ever. Already I've heard him being referred to trash, and it's time to take him out to the curb. Maybe I'm too James Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but I find comments like that very hateful and not at all in the American spirit. Mostly I think, what is wrong with people?

Mr. President, I don't care what they say. You did a good job in a horrible time. You kept your smile and showed compassion. I thank you for your hard work. 

If Mitt Romney wins tomorrow I will be respectfully happy for him and those who support him, but there are a few things he stands for which I cannot agree on. His views on women's rights scare me, quite frankly, but I do realize that if there is a disfunction in our nation, the power does not lie on his shoulders alone. He can only bring negative change if others wish it to be so. I hope the people in this country are wise enough to know that a woman's body is her responsibility and not that of any man, or group of men, or religious institution. I also hope the general public is wise enough to know that taking away a woman's rights would bring an unspoken depression upon the land—a depression that will rise and build until, once again, rights are restored. 

In regard to the financial situation of our country: To clean a closet, one must throw everything in a pile and sort out the mess. We don't like mess. We want good, clean restoration, but that is not always possible. Or, at least, it is not always possible in a finger-snap of time. Back when the financial crisis happened I listened to an economist on the radio who said things would come back to normal in about three-years time. Not one year. Not two. Three. I personally live in an area where I see people going to the movies and eating out on a regular basis. Teenagers are wearing new clothes and getting their hair and nails done. Things look good. If this is a Depression, I wonder what a really bad depression looks like? Economist Ben Stein said recently that the we should not only cut government spending, but also raise taxes on those who earn an income of two million or more to effectively restore the economy. I know the fear is that the wealthy would lose confidence and stop spending, and that businesses would fail, but it appears this is a false claim. No matter who wins tomorrow night, it seems it would be wise to fairly tax across all incomes.

The most important thing about tomorrow is that we vote. There are people in other countries who do not have the same rights as us. To ignore this simple freedom is really a terrible waste. Vote. Stand for something. Be a voice in the dark. Don't you remember the Dr. Suess book Horton Hears a Who! where the last Whoville resident finally spoke up and used their voice? Their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All. 

I have a cold so I will be dragging myself to the election booths, i.d. in hand, but darnitt I'll be there. I hope to see you there too.