The Defining Moment
Today is a day to celebrate. The contentious fight for political power will soon be over and we can all sink into our easy chairs to watch comedy shows and educational television rather than negative political ads. At least, I would enjoy relaxing with anything that is less taxing than choosing the man will lead this great country of ours for the next four years.
Both of the leading candidates for the “first” office of the land have exemplified behaviors of leadership. In addition, we were blessed to have had other, primary election, candidates in the race who were willing to lend their hearts, their minds, and their hands to the cause of democracy as we know it. Supposedly, the two men who are best qualified to be president have been left standing.
Tonight shall be an exciting time, as the votes are tallied. For Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, it will be a bittersweet experience due to the loss of his grandmother yesterday, coming right on the heels of this great day. For Presidential candidate, John McCain, even if he does not win, he can rest assured that running for the presidency was an act of patriotism.
I have expressed my choice by going to the polls, and so doing, I remembered the 1920 election when women were first allowed that privilege, due to the efforts of outspoken women such as Susan B. Anthony. I hope that you will vote today. In our capital city of New Hampshire, a sleepy little town compared to the much larger cities of the U.S., there was no waiting at the polls this morning. I went prepared for a long wait. I suppose that many people will vote after work.
Sentiment is running high in this country as we face more problems and more tests than ever before. Please vote your conscience, thinking seriously about who will best address your issues, whether they include better and more affordable health care, an opportunity for higher education for your children, an end to the war in Iraq, or a current lack of employment for you or loved ones.
In these hard times, we need to pull together. We need to see the best in each other. We must give others the same opportunities that we demand for ourselves. We must accept people of all colors and languages as belonging to the same human race, and treat them accordingly.
Of course, like you, I hope that my slate of candidates will win, both in local and national races. We must cross the dividing lines, as Barack Obama has stated. We are, after all, and forever, “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Patricia Cummings
