Election Day

I wanted to say something meaningful like: "Tomorrow, our long national nightmare comes to an end." but it's probably been done by now. Let's keep that in mind. Tomorrow, after two years of downright, abject, stupidity this thing will finally start winding down. FINALLY!

You know what I'm tired of hearing? Campaign ads. It's the rampant, unrepentant, fear mongering and I won't miss it. Look, I've been around. I've met people in many countries and states, I went to school on both coasts, did some time in the Navy, and my job today still involves a healthy amount of travel so I rub elbows with folks from all over regularly.

There was a time back when I was a young man I'd be indignant that someone could have a different political view than mine. Most conversations about the subject would break down into hostile shouting matches without any sort of resolution, so I resolved to never talk politics with those that were close to me.

I'd like to say that lasted, but it didn't. Instead I became older and encrusted with a thick layer of cynicism at the whole process, and through my travels and exposure to different people I've come to find and understand that people have different reasons and circumstances for believing what they do.

That's fine by me. I'll even go one better and say that most people don't even know what they believe because their beliefs are never tested. Hey, you can say what you want about this, that or the other but the only thing that matters and the only thing that people see is how you ACT. How you act is what you believe, not some platitude or soundbite that you heard some guy drop on the TV. You can echo that all day but at some point you're going to have to get off your butt and stand behind it. Will you?

Is it hard to imagine that someone may have the best interests of the country in mind, even though their beliefs don't fall into step with yours? Think about what it means to accuse someone of being "Unpatriotic" because their ideas are not the same as yours and then think about how closed minded and ignorant it is to rebut someone's argument by calling them a name or (my favorite internet trick) attacking their character because you can't defend your point of view.

People, we come in all shapes, sizes, colors and genders and we all (generally) have one thing in common: We want what's best for ourselves and our country. There is more than one way to go about doing that and sometimes it may not necessarily be the way that you believe in, but you can not do anything at all if you don't participate in the process.

I would never attempt to sway an opinion one way or another, unless challenged to, I'm always up for that. However, there is one thing that I will not bend on, no matter what and that is voting. If you haven't already, you must vote tomorrow. Give voice to those opinions of yours that you think can help shape this nation of ours into the place that you want it to be. You will have my respect no matter what your beliefs.

Vote people!