Journal
Vote
11/4/2008
Rochester, NY
I just got back from voting. I bought into the hype and mentally prepared myself for Disney World lines. I walked in with a backpack containing a TIME magazine, breakfast (a South Beach bar) and a bottle of water. Much to my surprise, the lines did not spill outside like I had imagined. I was behind two people to register. I told the woman volunteer my street and she told me what line to go to. I filled in behind close to 10 people. 90% of the other lines were empty or had one person. I guess waking up and getting there at 8 AM paid off.
Four years ago I had to drive from New York to Charlotte, NC to vote. That is a 12 hour haul spanning close to 700 miles. But I had to do it. And I am proud to have done it. Today I had to drive less than 12 minutes to vote, but I was just as proud.
This is one of the days I really feel good about being an American. I take most of our freedoms for granted, but when you have the voice to assist in picking the next president of the country, it feels good. It feels good to see all of the volunteers in the polling places. It feels good to have options. It feels good to be able to vote and not be worried about being killed for doing so.
My hope is that whoever wins today, they follow up on their campaign promises. I hope they put people and not special interests first. I hope they don’t have to deal with all of the speed bumps and forks that Bush had to deal with. But when they do face these potholes, I hope they respond with better success than W.
As Obama and McCain have said, this is one of the most important elections in our history. I agree. It will be up to one of them to steer our country out of some very trying times. Good luck to them. Good luck to us. Go make your voice heard. It will make you feel good.