When I was in High School and College I was fixated on politics. I volunteered for campaigns and I watched all the speeches. I was 6 credits shy of a Poli Sci degree as a double with my International Affairs degree. I moved to DC and studied politics policy and law and vaguely wanted to be on CSPAN one day. In DC, I worked on the Hill (aka was a Senate Intern), worked for two federal agencies, and the city's largest private employer and largest private landowner (OK, so I still do that). Somehow though, the longer I was there the less politically involved, interested, and focused I became. I'm not really sure why, but it just is. I still keep informed, but from a bit more of a distance. Maybe an overload?
While my focus on politics has decreased my passion for civic engagement has not. "Civic Engagement" can mean many things from joining your local PTA, volunteering to clean up the park with your neighbors, to voting and many things in between. I feel passionately that people should be involved in their communities and in selecting their leaders and that each of you can make a difference. Brent and I try to demonstrate this to B from little things like picking up litter when we walk to taking him voting with us. I think he has been to vote about 4 or 5 times and will go with me tomorrow. Yes, voting with a toddler is a challenge, but I want him to be part of it.
Those reading I know differ as to race, economics, religion, region and political philosophy and I think that is wonderful. Whatever your stance, even though it may not match mine, I strongly encourage you to take the time to vote tomorrow. Yes, it is inconvenient and I will feel your pain as I wait with my rambunctious little guy. However, you can make a difference and the issues at hand are more important then the inconvenience to your day. I will likely keep bugging you to vote for as long as you know me. For many, I've been bugging them for more than a decade now. I love it that on election day I often hear from college friends that I haven't heard from in ages as they assure me that they have voted. Please, take the time, think about your choices and do your part to shape our shared future.
For those of you stopping by my house to watch election results I can promise delicious cookies and for all of you my heartfelt thanks. For those of you such as my lil bro that have already voted - You rock!
PS. businesses nationwide are also doing their part to encourage voting by offering free goods including free Starbucks coffee. This site lists some (although many are CA specific). Check out the paper for other fun, frugal rewards for voting.
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2 comments:
I am privileged to count myself as one of those that you have bugged to vote for a decade now. :) I will be voting while Patrick is watching the kiddos over lunch. You are braver than I am, taking a toddler to vote with you!
I was shocked to hear Patrick's report of exit pollsters at our little precinct when he voted this morning. Our little suburb has only about 6000 or so people total, and I don't know how many registered voters that makes, but it can't be very many. I think there is a hotly contested statewide race, because we've been polled twice on one or two state races in particular (but never on the presidential race...I mean, this is Utah!).
I'll stop now, or I'll have nothing left to say in my post for the day. Love you!
I stood in line for 2 hours this morning to Barack the vote. Since I got home this afternoon I have had three people come knock on my door to make sure I have voted. Everyone in the line was in good spirits and a lot of people brought their kids from school to be part of it. I loved it!!!
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