As I stood in the voting booth shortly before 8:00 this glorious November morning, between marking my ballot YEA or NAY to two of nearly 50 state and city referendums, I realized what a meaningful part of my life this periodic ritual of voting is to me.
Every Vote Counts, or so we are reminded each election season. Factually, of course, this is not true, since many votes are never counted. But in spirit, the notion is indeed true. Aside from the occasional RNC-inspired vote-suppression shenanigans we’ve witnessed in Ohio and Florida in recent years, in general this country has fair and honest voting process. Not saying it’s the best, just saying it works.
And because it does, every single citizen of the vast nation of more than 300 million souls has a stake in where we go as a country. It is a profound feeling to sense that, whatever small part my vote may play, that together, it truly is the people – and not just the powerful and wealthy – at the helm of the U.S.S. U.S.
The ritual of voting is so important! For it is true that, in practice, a single vote is not going to have an effect on the outcome. But casting my vote gives me a sense of participation, a feeling of ownership in my government. It means that, along with the rest of you, I have a stake in the race, a dog in the fight, and I did something concrete to let it be known. I am so thankful that, whatever shortcomings and failures this great nation has, at the very least, I know that yes, my vote does count.
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As we stand today at the conclusion of the most epic, grandest, most expensive, overwhelming, and longest political campaign the world has ever known, the truth is it all comes down to 140 million or so people like you and me, casting their ballots, taking part in this democratic experiment, exerting their right to vote, and then waiting, anxiously, full of fear and hope, of dreams and dread, until we learn, finally, the results of this election.
GOBAMA!!!
