I Voted!

Okay, this morning, I performed the most sacred of our civic duties. I voted. And now I'm on my way to Starbucks, who's offered a free cup of Joe (no, not Joe the Plumber) for all those who've voted.

My daughter called me early this morning to remind me of the importance of voting... (and since I live in the Chicago area, the sound byte that resonates in my ear is "Vote Early, Vote Often"!).

I could hear, in her voice, her excitement, her fervor for the process. She was excited, she was invigorated. My wife is off work, this afternoon, and plans on spending the afternoon volunteering for her candidate in the party's office, making phone calls (on her own cell phone) reminding people to get out and vote.

My wife is emotional about this election... she was almost teary-eyed, as she explained how long she waited in line, who she talked to while she was at the polls... the atmosphere at the polling place. Charming.

This is not about which candidate you support. This is not about whether your candidate wins or loses (at least this POST is not about that). This is about exercising your right to vote for the candidate of your choice. There are many countries in the world, where people are still fighting for the right to vote. Still spilling blood over what we take for granted.

Don't sit back, presuming you know the outcome already. Don't sit back, because you're not in a battleground state, and therefore your vote won't count. Make your voice heard.... get out there and press that button, punch that ballot, and set an example for the rest of the world.

VOTE. It's your right, it's your duty, it's your privilege.