Election Day: The Greatest American Privilege

There are several patriotic holidays on the American calendar: Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Presidents’ Day and Veterans Day (coming this Friday, you know) to name a few.  I believe the most patriotic day falls each year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, Election Day.  It is the day that we get to put American ideals into action.  It is the day when each of our voices are
heard.  As each individual expresses how he or she directs the government to be run, it is united together with millions of other like-minded Americans, most of them strangers tied together in spirit in this one moment.  It is the day where
each of us is truly equal to one another.  It is the day we have a voice in selecting our destiny.

Over the weekend, I participated in the Realtors Against Hunger Annual Food Drive by asking for donations of non-perishable items at a local supermarket.  I had the opportunity to engage with several members of our community.  Some said they had fallen upon hard times themselves.  Some said that they volunteer at their church’s food pantry and they are astounded not just by the number of people going there for help but who the people are who are asking for help; people they know who looking at them, you’d never realize were hurting so badly.  As we all continue to navigate our way through economic strife, it is more important than ever that we vote.  The generosity of the community I experienced this weekend was beautiful and will help satisfy some troubled families’ immediate needs.  By selecting the candidate who you feel will best serve our local government will help us remedy the ills of the economy and heal the damage it caused in the long term.

I have definite opinions.  I’ve spoken directly with several of the candidates, read about them and watched the debates in another demonstration of American ideals in action; freedom of the press.  Tempering this knowledge with a healthy dose of my own gut feelings, I made my selection on who I’ll vote for.  For example, my Legislator, Tom Cilmi, demonstrated his dedication to my area by being instrumental in thwarting a recent string of burglaries so he earned my vote.  Tom Croci won me over when he came to my office to introduce himself, answered every question we had for him and laid out his plan for my Town.  Basically, “C”
is the Row for me.  This is what my head and heart are telling me will be best for my community.  I am hoping that the majority of my neighbors share this opinion when they exercise their right to vote.  But mostly, I hope that the majority of my
neighbors vote.

People have died fighting to have their voice heard.  In America today, you just have to be registered and head to your local school.  Polls close at 9 p.m.  Get out
there and VOTE!

God Bless America.