Growing up, there was one guarantee at 6:30 each night, the national news being reported by Dan Rather on television in our home. As kids, we had two choices during that thirty minute window: go outside or sit down and watch the news. I probably chose the first option as a kid, but as I’ve grown up, my outlook on the world has changed. Being an informed citizen has always been a principle for my dad, one I feel he has passed along to so many of us in our family.
My father feels it is our duty as Americans to get out and vote. With pride, he has cast his ballot on every Election Day since November 5, 1968. Even though he never fully agrees with any candidate running for office he knows he was given an opportunity in this country and ensures he exercises his right to be heard. He could have skipped an election because he was too busy, tired or just didn’t like either candidate; but he ensures he takes every election serious. As an immigrant, he knows far too well what role politics plays in our everyday lives. We are all a part of a system greater than ourselves and as my dad says, “we cannot complain if we do not vote.”
Thank you Pa, for modeling the way for the rest of us who choose to exercise our civic duty. You’ve never asked us to vote for a certain person, you’ve only asked us to be a participant in the process. Here we are today on your tenth Election Day and you’re still as excited as ever. I’ll close this post as you like to tell us in the family, “choose the right one!”
Gazing North 