This is an important day for many high school seniors. Today could be the first time they have ever been eligible to vote. I ran into two current seniors at the polling place today. As I watched them during the process, it triggered memories from 1988. 1988 was a great year: high school graduation, freshmen year of college and my first Presidential Election. My choices were George Herbert Bush against Michael Dukakis. I remember reading articles and paying attention to commercials and debates. I remember talking politics with my parents and friends. I remember Dukakis riding on a tank, Dan Qualye "comparing" himself to JFK, and Bush's famous "Read my lips - No new taxes" speech. As I went to the polls, I felt like I was doing my civic duty. I felt empowered and important. I cast my vote for the person I felt would lead this country into the '90s. I walked out of the polling place proud to have cast a vote for my candidate and what he stood for. I was sure that he would win.
Today, I watched as two seniors nervously stood in line - one of them in the wrong line. They both waited patiently to vote and then to cast their ballots. I could see a sense of accomplishment and pride on their faces. I asked one of them, on the way out, if the process was empowering and he said it was.
I missed an election once - worked and coached right through the day! I spent the next four years quiet about the results because I had missed my opportunity to cast a vote. I hope that everyone took the time to vote today. Regardless of your Party affiliation or preference of candidate, it is important to participate in the process. With a lame-duck President, it does not really matter who wins tonight - change is upon us. Republican or Democrat, the ideas and the faces will be new. To me, the beauty of living in a representative democracy is civic participation!
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