There have been many days when I've wanted to post something in this space, but decided that I would come off sounding like a fortune cookie. I felt that something I'd written lacked originality, and that nothing would be gained by anyone reading it. I really pride myself on trying to keep my writing fresh and (in my eyes) insightful. But today, I don't particularly care. Election day is all about tradition and cliches. So here goes my horribly unoriginal, decidedly stale, but nevertheless relevant, election day pep talk.
If you have not done so already, I'm asking you to go vote. The polls are still open for a couple of hours, and it is wildly important to me that you exercise one of the most sacred rights we have as Americans. I can honestly say I don't care who you vote for, I didn't truly decide what I was going to do until about twenty seconds before I walked in the door. Of course, then I had an hour in line to re-open that debate.
Let's be honest here, neither man is a costumed villain. There will be no great unmasking after the last vote is tallied, no evil monologue where we find out that the newly elected leader of our country was a secret fiend all along. Both of these men want to lead our country to new heights of prosperity, they simply don't agree on which route to take.
So if I'm not emotionally invested in one candidate or the other, why do I care so much that you vote? I care because I am emotionally invested in America. I am one of the people that truly believes we live in the greatest country on Earth. The freedom of speech, and our right to vote are the two thickest pillars that hold up our ideals. I believe that the democratic process is the best way to run a country, and I can not understand why someone would ever voluntarily give up their right to participate in it.
If you think your vote doesn't matter because the candidate you support is projected to either win or lose your state in a landslide, I'm telling you that you're looking at it wrong. If you support the favorite, make sure the landslide is as massive as possible. If you support the underdog, let the favorite know that there are dissenting opinions among the masses. If you hate both candidates, write in Optimus Prime. Make a statement about your dissatisfaction with a two-party system.
This is your chance to say that you are unhappy, or to profess your faith that things will get better. It is always said that people died to give you this right, and die to protect it every day. Take a moment and really think about that concept. Then think about the fact that there are people who don't get to do this. There are countries where the people have no forum to express themselves. Voting in America is the rare gift that is both a right and a privilege. In the digital age we throw words around to the point where their power starts to fade, but if you slow yourself down and really focus on what they mean, the power comes back.
Use your power, your right to vote. It's the most important thing you can do today.
