Finally, Election Day is Here!

Am I the only one who feels like this election season has gone on forever?  Maybe it's because it took so long to finally have a Democratic nominee.  Maybe it's because I've been following the campaign developments since the beginning.  Maybe it's because I've watched every debate.  Maybe it's because I check FactCheck.org on a daily basis.  Maybe it's because this is the most involved I've ever been in any election.  Or maybe it's because T and I are voting for different candidates and so there have been some very heated moments in our home over the past few months.  Whatever it is it just feels like it's been forever since the candidates first launched their campaigns.  I for one am ready for it to be over.  I'm ready for the political ads to disappear...at least until the next election.  I'm ready for the news to focus on some other topic.  And I'm certainly ready to know who will be the next President of the United States.

As a blogger I have learned there are at least two topics I don't feel comfortable talking about on my blog--Jesus and politics.  Those are two very delicate, loaded topics and I'm just not courageous enough to take the backlash that comes along with those topics.  Some people will blog about their support for a certain candidate and can handle the comments that come along with such posts.  I'm not one of those bloggers.  I don't like being told I'm stupid for my political opinions.  I fully admit to not feeling like I know a lot about politics.  That's never been an area I feel confident about.  I don't know a lot about the economy and what is best economically speaking.  I don't know anything about foreign policy.  I volley back and forth on how I feel about things in Iraq.  I don't understand a lot about taxes or health care or the immigration issue.  What I know is how I wish things would work in this country.  What I know is which candidate gives me hope that the future can be better.  And what I know is which candidate inspires me to be a better person and to make the world a better place.

I've shared my voting story before and if I could locate the post I would link to it.  In short, not long after I turned 18 I had my first opportunity to vote in a major election.  I naively shared with a family member the candidate I voted for.  That is when I learned how opinionated and hurtful people can be about politics.  I was shamed by this person for not voting for the candidate he thought I should vote for.  I felt so little and so stupid and so embarrassed that I did not vote again until I was in my 30s.  For over a decade I gave my power away.  I chose to believe that I wasn't fit for politics and that because my choice was different from someone else's I didn't know enough to deserve to vote.  What I know now, that I didn't know when I was 18, is that I will never know enough but I still deserve to vote.  And really, the truth is, no one can every really know everything there is to know because there is one big factor that plays into how successful a candidate is and that is the unknown.  If a candidate is elected we cannot know what types of issues that candidate will face once they are in office.  That element of the unknown is why all we can do as voters is make the best choice possible with what we do know.  

One final thing I want to say about elections is I have great respect for all the candidates running in this year's election.  It takes a lot of guts, a lot of energy, a lot of courage, and very thick skin to run for an office.  I can't imagine enduring that level of personal attacks and all the media attention the candidates have to face.  I can't imagine being picked apart and having to sale yourself to Americans.  That's tough stuff.  I also believe that every candidate running honestly believes (s)he can make American a better place.  No candidate runs with the intention of ruining our country.  I believe each candidate believes they can make things better and that they want to make things better.  What happens afterward is another story but I honestly believe each candidate wants the best for this country (yes, even George W. Bush).  That's why they are running.  They believe what they have to offer will benefit America.  And so we, or at least I, vote on which candidate's ideals best fit what I want this country to become.  

I hope you voted today.  I hope you don't believe that your voice, your vote, doesn't matter (believe me I get that--I'm from Texas.  In Texas unless you vote republican your vote kinda gets covered up and lost.)  I hope you feel good about yourself as a voter, knowing you may not know enough about the issues but you still have a right to vote.  And most of all I hope you are as excited about the possibilities as I am.    

Comments

[Aundria]

Yes, this election season did seem so very, very looong and I too am glad that it's over with. I was so tired of all of the negative campaigning; I wish that candidates would just tell the truth about what they stand for and how they plan to fix things, instead of slinging toxic mud back & forth. I'm tired of the media spin, of having to dig around online to find out what's true or not. Just give me the facts, thank you very much. Anyway...

I will not miss the ads or the junk mail, and the onslaught of polls. Time to get back to the business of living.

[jenica]

so proud to be an american right now.

xoxo

[Andie]

It was SUCH an exciting night on Tues. I keep replaying it in my head.

Beautiful and heartfelt words you wrote here. I wish people didn't have to be so mean. I mean really, was it necessary?!
So glad you are at a place now of such love and strength. You do count and your vote does too.
Much love,
a.

[Carol]

I completely hear where you're coming from. I unfortunately made a celebration post about Obama being elected and a comment in my post was completely twisted and hallucinated into something which I'd never said at all. I was that angry, I deleted my blog because I felt that it then become tainted by my angry response.

Future note to myself, don't ever talk about politics on my blog *lol*

[Sam]

I totally feel your pain re: having a different voting choice than T! I wish to goodness Beaux felt the same as I do but he doesn't, and what a great country it is that we can vote and make our voice heard. It was very special, to take our son to vote, and for me it was a really wonderful night. I still can't believe it's true. It feels like Christmas!

Back when I was young(er) I too had someone disparage my voting choice. Fortunately for me, it wasn't anyone who mattered to me personally, and all it did was make me even more ornery and angry. But I'm difficult like that.

[Franca Bollo]

Our eight-year nightmare is coming to an end. It's a beautiful day.

[deirdre]

You've put it perfectly into the best words possible. There's so much I don't know about politics, and what I do know seems insignificant, but I believe, with all my heart, that my voice counts.

[Sheri]

Beautiful blog...photos...sentiments. I too felt wary of sharing my view, but last night my heart burst with a feeling of hope that I could no longer contain. The beauty of a democracy is that we can have different opinions and beliefs and still come together. For the first time in a long time I feel that might be possible for our country again....Thank you for sharing! It was great finding you...Love the name of your blog!

[Star]

I am glad it is all over as well. I also don't feel comfortable talking politics with people, even people I agree with.

Regardless of who wins, my feeling has always been that once the people have elected someone to office, it is up to all of us to get on board and work for the common good. It doesn't seem like it works that way, but that's the way I see it.

[liz elayne]

i am so glad that you voted.

and i am full of such hope today. so proud of america...

xoxo

[India J]

The champagne's been flowing here, the tears of joy too..!

I believe that even those whose candidate did not win have reason to celebrate.
We all do..!
Barack Obama's impressive victory says so much about America in 2008.
Last night voters decided that they didn't want to look back.
They wanted to step into the future...
Bravo and thank you all for voting..!
From a citizen of world..:)