I did it. Today, I cast not only my first presidential ballot, but a vote for an American candidate who has inspired the world. The Fine Gentleman from Illinois has made me a part of something huge and forever changed what we expect of our elected officials in this country.
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I used to have a less enthused perspective on voting and the importance it should have to people. I got up early this morning so I could get a decent spot in line at my polling place, so my mood was less than stellar. But as I walked out of there, I had a grin on my face and a smile in my heart. Each step felt lighter than the last. Surely, voting gives you a renewed sense of empowerment. Though I tend to think that it’s so incredibly exhilarating to take advantage of this particular right. Personally, I think of the men and women who gave their lives over to ensuring that I, their descendant, would be able to go up and cast my vote without an ounce of fear.
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Assuming (and praying!) that Senator Obama wins this election, the expectations will surge through the roof. The standards will be raised, not only for him, but for his successors and the Democratic Party. We’ve finally moved away from the unflattering portrait that conservatives have been trying paint of us, as opponents to the middle class, to values, to the strength of our nation’s defenses, to democracy, to families, and to success. They’ve been trying to pitch this same ball for too long, and it’s time to hit it out of the park.
A new morning is beginning, and it’s already complete.
