I live in Florida. Today we vote in our primaries. I haven’t left the house yet, but I will shortly. (First I have to blog!) As always on election days, I am struck by the awesome responsiblity we have and the price that comes with this freedom.
When I was a little girl I was thrilled when the presidential election day came. Back then I watched the debates and listened to the “big people” talk about this person’s values and that candidates promises. I probably understood it about as much THEN as I do NOW but the bottom line was this: my parents VOTED.
I remember asking Daddy (the wisest man I knew at the time) who he voted for. Every single time there was a president being voted in, he’d vote and I’d ask. And every single time he would reply with the same answer: “The winner.”
My mother would then remind me that in our country we have the right to vote according to our own convictions and that in our country we have the right to keep that vote to ourselves. “No one can force us to vote any way but the way we want to,” she said. “And no one can make us tell.”
Inspiring words. Still, I wanted to know… I am, after all, both southern and female.
But they never told.
I’m not so quiet. I speak up. I tell people who I’m voting for…should they ask. And I’m usually pretty certain about my convictions. Which is why they are…um…convictions.
But this year I’m perplexed. So I called a friend who has both the time and the intelligence to read every little line in the papers and listen to all the talk radio one person could possibly want to listen to. Last night I called her on the phone. “Susan,” I said. “I’m so confused!! I thought I knew who I wanted to vote for, but now I don’t know at all! I’ve spent some time today reading and researching and…well, I’m just SO CONFUSED!”
She said she was confused too. I’m not sure if that made me feel better or worse. But we talked for a good half hour and when I ended the call I felt I had a better grip on things.
Friends are good for things like that.
And so today, I vote. As an American with a vast amount of freedom and liberty, I vote. I cast my opinion and I pray God will set only the man (or woman) to this powerful office that HE sees fit. (That’s His freedom…)
And then I will wait. I will watch TV tonight and, in the midst of trying to find the next American Idol, I will hold my breath to see which way the pendulum swung.
And I will, once again, be awestruck because no matter how wrong this country gets it sometimes…at the core of it all–this right to vote–is another reason I’m proud to be an American.
8 Comments
Amen, Eva. The right to vote is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Thanks for highlighting it today.
Okay, so I’m asking. Who’d you vote for and why? If you’re willing to tell in this format. I’m still undecided and I think our primaries are soon.
Reading and listening really hasn’t helped me any this time around, either.
P.S. The last time and place I voted was just before leaving Florida, November of ‘06, in Oviedo.
Who’d I vote for??? The winner, of course. Well, maybe not YESTERDAY’S winner, but hopefully the final outcome winner. Then again, maybe yesterday’s winner. According to how you look at it.
I’d talk general politics with ya in person (tho I won’t argue politics!) but not on this loop.
But I will say that my vote was based on past actions of the candidates, home values, and faith-based values.
How’s that?
You are right that “this time” we have some tough decisions, Flea. As my husband always says, we have to now look at who is the best of the worst.
He’s right. My husband and I have been discussing the upcoming vote and he asked me about a man of another faith who is running. I’m torn when it comes to my party. Do you know how tempting it is to not vote at all? But my conscience won’t let me do that. Thanks, Eva Marie.
When I was in California, we watched the debates and primary election returns–especially Florida. My parents registered “independent,” but I know their politcal stance on almost every issue. My dad reads voraciously regarding anything that has to do with politics (he’s building another bookcase just to house his political books and journals). More than any other election, we have more at stake and the choices…we’ll let’s just say, “they’re bewildering!”
HUGS!
I have followed this election more than any other. However, knowing more, I still feel like I know less. I still don’t know who I’m voting for. Thanks for posting about the right to vote. It’s incredibly important.