Wordfull Wednesday: Elections

I am quite bothered by the contention that is up roared each election season. For some reason this year it seems worse than ever. There are signs drawing lines between neighbors, cars with bumper stickers that in themselves could induce road rage, and commercials that have caused my now 9 year old to ask "Mom, why do the Presidential candidates have to say such negative comments about each other"? The tension is so great it feels as if we are at war amongst ourselves.

I wish those up for election displayed more of the characteristics of a true leader instead of just representing their respective party. I wish I had better insight and knowledge about our government and constitution so that I could be more credible as an influence for good when my children, friends, family and neighbors inquire of my politic beliefs. I wish that as Americans we all had greater understanding of the vision our founding fathers had for this nation.

Without much room for discussion or explanation here is how I feel about the issues.  Few of our nation's biggest problems can be solved by politics or government.  Rather many can only be solved by strengthening the basic building block of society: our families.  Sadly, it seems like the idea of strengthening families hardly enters into the political discourse anymore, despite overwhelming evidence that many of today's most pressing issues (education, crime, etc) are a result of the disintegration of the family, and an abandonment of the principle of personal responsibility.  Our country should protect our right to freely choose our own path in life, but somewhere along the way, some have erroneously interpreted that to mean freedom from the consequences of our choices as well.

I also believe "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great" (Alexis de Tocqueville). I may not be able to change our nation as I wish but I can certainly teach my children to be "good" and in turn hope that they, their children, and their children's children will become a portion of what makes this nation "great".

I also believe it is our duty to study and ponder the issues and vote. On a lighter note here is my recollection of voting in 2004.

It was cold and rainy that morning in Charlotte, NC. Paul was still working as an investment banker for Wachovia which means we barely saw him and he barely saw the light of day. If he voted it was most likely by absentee ballot. I on the other hand had all day to vote.

Having only three children at the time I thought it would be no problem to bring them along to the polls -it would be educational! The kids were just barely 5, almost 3 and 10 months at the time and can't say if they could today recall that "educational experience". I on the other hand remember it well.

Like I said it was cold and rainy. Our designated voting spot was in the basement of a Methodist church on Randolph Rd. The line to enter the building wrapped around the parking lot but I told my kids a little rain wouldn't hurt us as long as we had coats and hats on. I slowly pushed the stroller along the line as the boys jumped in puddles near by. Finally we reach the doors only to discover crowded stairs! The other voters were quite kind and passed my stroller down to the end where it would be waiting. It was just harder to contain the young children there on the stairs then in the rain.

But finally we reached the open room where we still stood in line. That is everyone except for our almost 3 yr old William who wandered to the light switch. Just as I dashed out to grab him he hit it. Remember this was in a basement. Everyone gasped and shouted out, even those under the curtains in the process of their votes. Then he hit it again and again as if to turn the room in to a disco. I grabbed him and apologized to the entire room then was allowed to cut right to the front where the voters, exhibiting their southern charm, only chuckled at this curious little boy.

But it wasn't easy to fit my three kids under the curtain. They were swinging and swishing it all around me. I had to be quick but could barely think through my selections. We got out of there quickly, with one kind voter who carried the stroller all the way up the stairs for me.

In the car I discovered James (age 5) was covered in stickers and I then asked him what he thought of the process. He said he was sure a certain candidate would win. When I asked him why he said because he put in 10 votes for that individual in the kids vote box. I suppose it was time for some more teaching. The poor little guy was so disappointed when I told him #1 your votes don't count until you are 18 and #2 you only get one vote. He has since been counting down the years until he could officially vote.

I remember watching the votes being tallied at 5:30 am the following morning at on the gym on the elliptical machine.

I suppose this year I will not attempt to bring six kids to the polls. I also hope that watching the results will get me back on the elliptical machine.

On another side note I would like to add a bit of history about the home we are living in. It was built in 1962 and for years was not only the center of many boy scout activities but also the neighborhood voting location. Old neighbors have told me how they use to line up on our very stairs before casting their votes. Perhaps my interest and excitement in this years elections is emanating from the history in the walls that surround me. We have remodeled quite a bit but above is an image from the original mailbox which we kept in its place- a patriotic one.